Residents of Wolapolu Clan, Zota District #4, Bong County, have taken action to halt Fengshou International Inc.’s mining operations in the area. The citizens expressed concerns regarding the company’s activities and requested a review of its license, as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the community and the company before mining can proceed.
Residents, in interviews with newsmen, emphasized the importance of community involvement and benefit-sharing in mineral extraction initiatives—which they said the company has reneged on doing.
“This company was brought here by Mr. Joseph Urey, and he told us that the company was going to be mining gold,” the citizens said, “But when the company came they told us that they were prospecting with their hands to see if the minerals they want would be here; but for the past few days, they have been using machines in the hall, and we are not happy with it, so we put stop to their activities until we can understand how they are going to do their mining operate on our land.”
The citizens emphasized that the only way the Management of Fengshou Mining Company will carry on mining activity until they as citizens review the company’s license, and a Memorandum of Understanding must be signed between the affected community and the Company.
The Wolapolu citizens said despite the Fengshou International Inc. management currently constructing their camp in the District, they will only mine minerals when the MOU is signed and agreed upon.
“We will not allow any mining company to mine our minerals without us benefiting from it,” the citizens said.
Former Commissioner Urey, who facilitated the company’s presence in the District, acknowledged his involvement but deferred detailed questions about the company’s operations to its official representatives.
Urey revealed that Representative Robert Flomo Wombah, Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris, and other sons and daughters of the District are aware of the operation of the company.
While attempts were made to contact the company’s Public Relations Officer, named William, there was no response at the time of press inquiries. This reporter made several calls and sent several messages—none of which were responded to.
Bong County Superintendent Norris and her Public Relations Officer, Christian Kangbo, echoed support for the citizens’ call for an MOU to ensure fair benefits from mining activities in the community. The emphasis was placed on community participation, equitable resource utilization, and the preservation of natural resources for future generations.
This move aligns with efforts to enforce environmental regulations, as evidenced by fines imposed on Fengshou International Inc. and other mining entities for violations earlier in the year.
In March of this year, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia fined Fengshou International Inc, East International and Quetz Mining Company for the constant violation of the EPA Act of 2003.
