By Bill W. Cooper
Residents of two communities affected by the operations of Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC) in Grand Cape Mount County have issued a one-week ultimatum to Representative Sonii Feikai and the company to restore their previously enjoyed rights.
The residents, who have long voiced their grievances regarding the impact of mining activities on their livelihoods and environment, are demanding immediate action or they will resort to unspecified measures to reclaim their rights.
The call was made through the Porkpa Citizens Engagement Forum (PORCEF), Porkpa Association for Development and Progress (PORYADP) and the Mano River Descendants Association (MARDA), on behalf of the Seimavula Clan, Porkpa District, and Meimasa Clan, Tewor District.
The group, through their petition, also expressed their deep frustration over what they described as a prolonged neglect of their rights and welfare by both the government, through their representative and the mining company.
BMMC, a subsidiary of the Canadian-based Aureus Mining, has been operating in Grand Cape Mount County as far back as 2001, and it is primarily engaged in gold mining, which has brought both economic opportunities and significant challenges to the local communities.
While the mining operations have generated revenue and jobs, residents argue that the environmental degradation, displacement, and loss of agricultural land among others, have severely impacted their quality of life.
Over the years, affected communities have raised concerns about inadequate compensation, lack of consultations in decision-making processes, and the failure of the company to fulfill its corporate social responsibility commitments.
Many affected residents further claim that the promises made by Bea Mountain during the initial phases of mining operations have not been honored, leading to a growing sense of betrayal and anger, compounded by a series of protests that have also seen the loss of lives in the area.
The aggrieved groups also noted, “We have been patient for too long, and let it be known that we are not against development, but we want to ensure that our rights are respected and our voices are heard.”
They further expressed their skepticism about Rep. Feikai’s ability to effect change, citing previous instances where promises made went unfulfilled due to his involvement at their detriment, and asserted, “We have had talks with him but to no avail.”
“So, we are tired and Rep. Feikai’s cruel action is evident among other things by her refusal to sign a letter which was written to the BMMC by the Legislative Caucus of Cape Mount, and we see this act as a willful neglect for Feikai to treat the people she represents with such cruelty and bias,” they added.
The aggrieved residents further argued that the company’s efforts have been insufficient to address the scale of the challenges they face, and noted, “They say they are helping us, but we don’t see the results in our daily lives, and we are sick and tired of their lies,” they added.
The affected residents intoned that the ultimatum represents a critical moment in their struggle for justice and recognition, and added, “We are not asking for much, but just want to be treated with dignity and respect. Our rights matter and we will fight for them.”