By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
-Bong
The Management of Huiren Mining Company and citizens of its affected communities have signed a four-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Gbarmue Town, Jorpolu Clan Electoral District 3, Bong County.
Huiren, a majority-Chinese-owned company, was granted a medium-scale license of class ‘B’ to mine gold in 2021.
The purpose of this MoU is to outline the commitments, responsibilities, and expectations of both parties regarding the operation of the mine, ensuring that the activities are conducted in a manner that respects the rights of the host communities, promotes environmental sustainability, and fosters mutual benefits.
During the signing ceremony, the Administrative Manager of Huiren Mining Company, Daniel S. P. Toe, agreed to comply with all relevant environmental laws, regulations, and standards to minimize the environmental impact of its operations.
According to the terms of the MOU, the company will implement sustainable practices, including waste management, water usage, air quality control, and land reclamation, to protect the environment and biodiversity.
The communities, within their capacities, will monitor and report any environmental concerns or violations to the company, expecting that these issues are promptly addressed; if not addressed, an affected community will report such incidents and or concerns to the requisite authority, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Administrative Manager commits to prioritizing the hiring of residents who have the required technical knowledge, education, and or qualifications for available vacancies, providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for skill development as prescribed and regulated by the laws of the Republic of Liberia.
The company will engage with local businesses and suppliers within the affected communities, contributing to their economic growth provided these businesses and or suppliers situated in the affected communities are capable of supplying said needs of the company.
The MoU further stipulates that the host communities will support the company in maintaining a stable and productive workforce by encouraging local participation and collaboration.
As social responsibility and community development, the company agreed in principle to invest in community development projects, including but not limited to education, employment, healthcare, infrastructure, and cultural preservation.
The repairing of damaged pumps at the cost of no more than US$ 500, and the Community will provide the listing of places where pumps will be repaired.
The Company will then take the initiative to send a technician to bring a pro-forma invoice as to the repair costs.
Additionally, the company will work in partnership the community stakeholders in identifying which community the repair will be done.
In bolstering the provision safe drinking water for local residents, the company committed to constructing seven new hand pumps within the affected communities in Jorpolu Clan.
The Management of the HUIREN MINING COMPANY agreed that they will complete the unfinished school building in Gbarmue Town and further renovate the roof and other damages to the building existing school.
Additionally, the Company, on its own accord, has taken the initiative to rehabilitate the stretch of road from Weinsue-Gbamue, Gbamue-Jackson Village, and Gbamue to Kpaai corridors to include the rehabilitation of the major bridge on the Gbamue to Jackson Village corridor to an acceptable standard for the use of the company and the citizens.
The Company will employ 70 percent of its casual labor force from the affected communities and three top positions in the company, including: ‘A Community Liaison Officer, an Assistant Human Resource Officer, and an Assistant Administrative Manager, provided qualified persons are available and willing to perform the work and or task so advertised.
Moreover, the company is expected to take full responsibility for any damage caused by its mining activities and settle all liabilities thereof, provided the payment of any sums relating to said damage/s will be as a result of due process either by mediation or litigation.
The Company agreed to make available as part of its social corporate responsibilities an amount of US$ 5,500.00 to the affected communities every five months beginning April 1, 2025.
The company has made a retroactive payment of US$12,000 owed to the affected communities from 2022 through 2025.
The money will be placed in an account belonging to the affected communities and will be supervised by a committee established by the affected communities yet when a project is decided to be undertaken, authorities of District 3, including the commissioner and chiefs shall approve such projects with the consent of the superintendent or a person designated by the superintendent.
Meanwhile, the affected communities through the Commissioner, Fatu Binnay, Joseph B. Mulbah, Paramount Chief, Jorquelleh District 3, Hon. Alice Bonah Cammue, Clan Chief, Jorpolu Clan, Ma Annie Togbah, Women Leaders, Gbamue Town, and Benedict Belekabolue, Youth Leaders, Gbamue Town signed on behalf of the communities.
Moreover, the citizens, through Superintendent Hawa Norris and Representative J. Marvin Cole of Electoral District 3, agreed and mandated the immediate establishment of an account in a reputable bank of their choosing.
The residents also selected four signatories on behalf of the affected communities, including Superintendent Hawa Norris, Fatu Binnay, Commissioner Bong County Electoral District 3, Moses K. Kotogboe, and Otto S. Dunbar.
Bong County Electoral District 3 Representative Josiah Marvin Cole has lauded the Management of the Heiren Mining Company for the commitment so far shown to the affected communities.
He, at the same time, called on the citizens of the company’s operational areas to live up to their commitment to the MOU, admonishing them to put aside their differences and work in the interest of their various communities for the overall development of the district and its citizens.