Having advised governments in East and West Africa, the Caribbean, and contributed to the establishment of Liberia’s National Oil Company in the early 2000s, I have bore witness to the critical role that comprehensive geophysical surveys play in unlocking and managing natural resource wealth. Liberia’s recent formal request by His Excellency President Joseph N. Boakai to the United States for support from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct an airborne geophysical survey represents a strategically sound initiative, essential for the country’s economic advancement.
By Jacqueline Khoury, [email protected], Contributing Writer
Airborne geophysical surveying—utilizing advanced sensor-equipped aircraft to collect magnetic, radiometric, and gravity data—provides a cost-effective and efficient method to delineate mineral deposits over extensive and often inaccessible terrain. This data underpins informed decision-making in mineral exploration, reducing the inherent risks for investors and enabling governments to better attract and negotiate targeted foreign direct investment.
With the exemption of the survey proffered by the government of China to President Boakai, Liberia’s most recent history with seismic surveys dates back to the presidency of Charles Taylor, when, constrained by limited financial resources, the newly formed National Oil Company partnered with Norway’s TGS-NOPEC to finance a 2D offshore magnetic and gravity geophysical study. Although commercial oil discoveries have yet to materialize, Liberia has generated significant fiscal revenues—amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars—through licensing its seismic data to exploration companies. This underscores the tangible economic value of geophysical data, independent of immediate resource extraction.
Across the African continent, countries such as Sierra Leone, Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia have implemented airborne geophysical surveys in collaboration with international agencies including the USGS and World Bank. These initiatives have facilitated the identification of new mineral deposits, enhanced exploration efficiency, and contributed substantially to national revenue growth. For example, Ghana’s 2015 airborne survey was instrumental in expanding its gold mining sector, yielding millions of dollars in economic benefits.
Beyond exploration, geophysical survey data have been leveraged through innovative financial mechanisms. Governments have conducted licensing rounds to auction exploration rights based on survey findings, issued resource-backed bonds to mobilize capital, and established state-owned or joint venture entities listed on stock exchanges to monetize mineral assets. These approaches have enabled resource-rich countries to convert geological data into immediate development funding, mitigating fiscal constraints.
The anticipated cost of Liberia’s proposed airborne survey, estimated at $15 to $20 million, is modest relative to the prospective economic returns. High-quality geophysical data will enhance investor confidence, facilitate more favorable contractual arrangements, and support the sustainable development of Liberia’s mineral resources. This, in turn, will drive infrastructure development, employment generation, and increased government revenues through taxes and royalties and/or equity partnerships.
Moreover, comprehensive geological mapping supports responsible land-use planning and environmental management, critical factors in mitigating social conflicts historically associated with resource development.
The U.S. Geological Survey has a distinguished global track record of transformative contributions through its scientific studies. USGS’s expertise has been instrumental not only in resource assessment but also in natural hazard evaluation, water resource management, and environmental protection. Its collaborations have empowered countries to develop their resources responsibly and sustainably. For instance, USGS-led surveys have supported mineral development in countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, providing governments with authoritative data that underpin policy decisions and attract investment. The agency’s rigorous scientific standards and methodological innovations set a global benchmark, ensuring data reliability and fostering international confidence.
Liberia’s appeal to the United States for USGS collaboration reflects a pragmatic approach to leveraging scientific expertise to unlock its mineral potential. Given the USGS’s technical capabilities and Liberia’s underexplored resource base, this partnership could catalyze significant economic transformation.
Based on regional precedents and my professional experience, I contend that Liberia’s pursuit of this airborne geophysical survey is a necessary and judicious step toward establishing a data-driven mineral sector and forward thinking by the President. Such initiatives lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth and improved governance of natural resources, and merit robust international support.
Jacqueline Khoury, an oil and gas professional with extensive advisory experience across African and Caribbean governments, is a founding contributor to Liberia’s National Oil Company and a New Producers Group (Chatham House) advisory consultant.
