MONROVIA, October 2, 2026 — Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL) Executive Director Harold Marvin Aidoo has urged the government to carefully manage Liberia’s emerging critical-mineral prospects, warning that the country risks repeating decades of exporting valuable resources while mining communities remain poor.
In a policy commentary titled “Liberia Must Not Miss the Critical Minerals Moment,” Aidoo said growing global demand for minerals used in batteries, electric vehicles and renewable-energy technologies presents Liberia with an opportunity to turn its natural-resource wealth into lasting economic benefits.
“Liberia has another chance to turn mineral wealth into lasting prosperity,” Aidoo said, warning that without stronger governance, “valuable resources [could] leave our shores while communities remain poor.”
He called on the government to publish the non-confidential findings of a China-supported mineral survey and commission an independent geological verification before entering major agreements with investors.
According to Aidoo, the survey reportedly identified indications of lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, rare-earth elements and other strategic minerals, but he cautioned that indications should not be treated as confirmed commercially viable reserves.
Drawing lessons from Liberia’s iron-ore industry, Aidoo said decades of mining have generated exports and government revenue but produced limited connections to local businesses, manufacturing and employment.
He urged stronger safeguards to protect government revenue, including independent capacity to verify mineral quality, production volumes and export values and detect under-invoicing and abusive pricing practices.
Aidoo also advocated greater value addition but cautioned against unrealistic demands for domestic processing without considering electricity costs, water availability, environmental risks and market conditions.
“Liberia cannot demand a refinery for every deposit,” he said, calling instead for greater Liberian participation in geological, engineering, maintenance and logistics services while building capacity for viable processing.
He said investments in reliable electricity and shared railways, ports and transmission infrastructure could create economic opportunities beyond mining operations.
Aidoo also called for stronger investment in universities and vocational institutions to train Liberian geologists, engineers, laboratory technicians and environmental specialists.
“Counting Liberians on payrolls is insufficient if technical knowledge and managerial authority remain elsewhere,” he said.
He stressed that mining communities should have a meaningful voice, with water protection, consultation, grievance mechanisms and funded mine-closure plans included as enforceable requirements.
“The decisions taken before licences and long-term sales agreements are signed will shape what Liberia retains for decades,” Aidoo said.
He urged the government to use the current period to verify Liberia’s mineral potential, strengthen institutions and clearly define the benefits investors will be required to deliver.
“The minerals are finite. Skills, productive infrastructure and capable institutions can outlast them,” Aidoo said.
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