Published: September 29, 2026
MONROVIA — The Putu Contact Group Inc. has unveiled a proposed community negotiation framework for the planned revival of the Putu Iron Ore Project, demanding legally enforceable commitments on jobs, benefit-sharing, local ownership, infrastructure and environmental protection for communities directly affected by the mining operation.
The group, which represents Putu Project-Affected Communities in Putu Administrative District, Grand Gedeh County, presented its Community Negotiation Position & Term Sheet during a major news conference Monday in Monrovia.
The framework is intended to guide negotiations with Africa Metallic Resources toward a comprehensive and legally enforceable Communities Development Agreement, or CDA, as efforts intensify to reactivate the long-stalled mining project.
At the same time, the group acknowledged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the national government for what it described as renewed attention to the Putu Project and efforts to move it toward operationalization.
Among its key demands, the group wants meaningful and continuous community consultation, a dedicated and independently audited Community Development Fund and the direct allocation of a fair and meaningful portion of applicable social development contributions to communities immediately affected by the project.
The framework also calls for employment and skills-development opportunities for Liberians, with priority given to qualified residents of project-affected communities; progressive management localization and succession planning; and increased procurement opportunities for Liberian-, Grand Gedeh- and PAC-owned businesses.
Communities are also seeking commitments covering roads, water, electricity, health and education infrastructure; participation in environmental and social monitoring; livelihood protection and restoration; mine closure and rehabilitation planning; independent auditing and quarterly oversight; accessible grievance mechanisms; and progressive local value addition and industrial development.
“The Putu communities particularly acknowledge the leadership and efforts of His Excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, and the Government of Liberia for giving renewed national attention to the Putu Project and advancing efforts toward its reactivation,” a statement read by the group’s strategist, Philip Bai Kamah, said.
The group recalled that in March 2026, President Boakai directed the government to expedite efforts toward finalizing and operationalizing the Putu Mining Project, with Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung coordinating relevant government institutions to address outstanding legal, financial and administrative issues.
The communities also welcomed Africa Metallic Resources’ expressed commitment to advancing the project, including what the company has described as support for indigenous participation, local ownership and sustainable value creation.
PCG said the renewed momentum surrounding Putu provides an opportunity for the government, investors and affected communities to establish what it considers a new model for responsible mineral development.
“The communities are not opposed to responsible mining investment,” the statement said. “Our position is that mineral development should produce a measurable, transparent and enforceable development partnership with the people whose land, livelihoods, environment and communities host the Project.”
Kamah said the communities’ negotiating position is anchored in a straightforward principle:
“Legal Rights + Community Participation + Fair Benefit Sharing + Employment + Local Content + Environmental Protection + Transparency + Long-Term Development.” The group maintains that any agreement governing Putu’s revival should ensure that the economic benefits of the project translate into tangible and sustainable development for the communities that will directly host and be affected by the mini
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