Joaquin M. Sendolo and Alieu Sahid Tonkara
NIMBA, Liberia & LUNSAR, SIERRA LEONE – In December 2019, conflict broke out between an international mining company and the leadership of three forest-dwelling communities of Nimba County in north eastern Liberia. The communities accused the company of illegal entry into the 2,169-acre mountainous forestland. The company, Solway Mining Incorporated, expressed surprise. Liberia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy had issuedit, a license to explore for iron ore in the two forests, which border the East Nimba Nature Reserve and area leased to ArcelorMittal, the global steel giant and Liberia’s largest mining concession.
The dispute illustrates the ongoing battles communities, extractives companies and governments are having over the right to profit from forests and mineral resources across the Mano River region. Countries rebuilding from civil war have found themselves with weak institutions and conflicting laws that are causing conflict