By Amos Harris
Liberia’s gold export figures are soaring, painting a picture of a nation reaping the rewards of its abundant natural resources. However, beneath the gleaming facade of these impressive statistics lies a stark and deeply troubling reality: the communities in Cape Mount and Bong Counties, the very heart of this gold boom, remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, deprived of basic necessities like electricity, healthcare, and essential infrastructure.
An in-depth investigation by Amos Harris has unveiled a glaring disparity between the immense wealth generated by mining giants Bea Mountain and MNG Gold and the abject neglect suffered by the local populations whose land they exploit. While these companies report staggering revenues, the communities they operate within are left to languish in a state of destitution.
Official data reveals the sheer scale of the gold extraction: Bea Mountain, a prominent player in Cape Mount, has exported a staggering 11,046 kilograms of gold in recent years, translating to approximately US576.3 million in revenue. MNG Gold, operating in Bong County, has shipped out 2,856 kilograms, generating a substantial US111.9 million. These figures, while impressive on paper, paint a grim picture when juxtaposed against the lived realities of the people residing in these mining regions.
Despite the vast sums of money flowing out of their land, locals across both counties decry the mining companies’ failure to honor their corporate social responsibility commitments. These promises, often made with fanfare during initial concession agreements, have largely remained unfulfilled, leaving communities to grapple with the devastating consequences of resource extraction without any tangible benefits.
In Bong County, where MNG Gold holds sway, residents express deep resentment, accusing the company of ruthlessly exploiting their land while offering little to no development in return. “We are suffering while millions of dollars are leaving our county,” a visibly frustrated resident told our investigative team, his voice filled with a mixture of anger and despair. “These companies treat us unfairly, and we are left with nothing but hardship. They come, they take, and they leave us with nothing.”
The situation in Cape Mount County, where Bea Mountain operates, is equally dire. Villagers lament the complete absence of even the most fundamental social services, despite the immense wealth being extracted from their ancestral lands. Women and children, the most vulnerable members of these communities, bear the brunt of this neglect. They are often forced to undertake arduous journeys, sometimes spanning entire days, in search of medical care, a necessity made desperate by the complete lack of hospitals and clinics in their vicinity.
Our investigation uncovered harrowing tales of women dying during childbirth, their lives tragically cut short due to the absence of even the most basic medical facilities. Parents also voice their deep concern over the lack of schools, leaving their children with little to no access to education despite the vast resources being exported from their land. The cycle of poverty is perpetuated, denying future generations the opportunity to break free from their current circumstances.
Adding to the communities’ woes are allegations of inhumane working conditions at the mining sites. Workers claim they are subjected to grueling labor, monitored by armed security forces, and paid meager wages that barely cover their basic needs. The sense of being exploited within their own land is palpable.
When Amos Harris contacted lawmakers representing these counties, many were reluctant to address the crisis, attempting to shift the blame to the executive branch. “The executive branch is responsible for these issues, not us,” one legislator stated, refusing to elaborate further, highlighting a concerning lack of accountability and a willingness to distance themselves from the plight of their constituents.
As frustration and anger reach a boiling point, residents are demanding accountability from both the mining companies and the government. “We are tired of suffering in our own county. Where are our executives, representatives, and senior officials?” a community member asked, his voice echoing the sentiments of many. “They see the gold leaving, but they do nothing for us.”
As gold exports continue to soar, enriching foreign investors and multinational corporations, the people of Cape Mount and Bong Counties are left with a fundamental question: When will they finally see the benefits of their own resources? When will the golden paradox of their suffering amidst plenty be resolved? The answer to this question will determine whether Liberia’s gold boom truly benefits its people or simply serves to perpetuate a system of exploitation and inequality.
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