Digging Deep Dialogue 04: The Liberia Chamber of Mines

A towering tall figure, a strong sense of patriotism, a very calm demeanor and Liberia's chief mining lobbyist is what you can say about the gentleman at the helm of The Liberia Chamber of Mines (LCM). Digging Deep (DD) travels to West Africa to build rapport and learn from Mr. Amara KAMARA the Executive Chairman of Hamak Gold Limited and President of The Liberia Chamber of Mines. He is a true 'mining head' and we put him to task with 5 questions curated to bring you closer to Liberia's mining industry.

DD: Welcome to the Digging Deep Dialogue Amara. It’s a pleasure to have you with us. Can you please tell us more about the Liberia Chamber of Mines and what your role as President of the Chamber entails?

LCM: The Liberia Chamber of Mines is Liberia’s primary industry association which aims to bring together stakeholders including license holders, service providers, and suppliers. The Chamber's five thematic priorities include advocacy, access to resources, compliance, advisory, and access to markets.

We provide a productive space to strengthen linkages between local suppliers, service providers, and exploration and development projects, while also facilitating policy and reform dialogue with regulators, as well as introducing and upgrading industry standards, innovation and training. So as President, my role is to ensure that the five thematic areas are adequately performed in benefits not just the Chambers members but the largest society itself.

DD: Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary as the Liberia Chamber of Mines. What are the successes so far and how do you build better moving forward?

LCM: Over the last two years we had achieved so much but notable among them is approval and granting of our membership request by the ECOWAS Federation of Chamber of Mines and the development of a framework documents that now govern the association operation.

Additionally, we now count among other membership some of most influential and significant players in the mining industry in Liberia, consistent with ESG Policies and Standards. Going forward, we intend to build on the gains so far and becomes robust in our advocacy,?linkage and provision of advisory service to create a vibrant mining sector. We will also intensify our outreach campaign to prospective members so that we capture all stakeholder in the mining industry to bring them under one voice.

DD: Liberia in Perspective! What role does the mining industry play to Liberia’s economy and her people?

LCM: Economically, the mining industry plays a pivotal role in Liberia's economy, contributing significantly to country revenue basket through taxes, royalties, which enables the government investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential services.? As it stands, the mining sector is the largest tax paying sector.? In fact, the Liberia Extractive Industries. Transparency Initiative (LEITI) in its 15th. report named the extractive sector as accounting for 17.16 percent of the. government’s revenue envelope in the last fiscal year, amounting to US$182.35 million,? with a little over US$100 million coming from. the mining sector.

Secondly, the mining sector creates employment opportunities for Liberians across various skill levels, from manual labor in mining operations to managerial and technical roles. This job creation not only reduces unemployment but also improves livelihoods and boosts local economies, particularly in mining communities.

Thirdly, the mining industry in Liberia stimulates economic diversification by supporting related sectors such as transportation, logistics, construction, and services. This multiplier effect generates additional economic activity, fosters entrepreneurship, and encourages investment in complementary industries.

Beyond its economic impact, mining companies often engage in corporate social responsibility initiatives, investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and community development projects. These initiatives contribute to social welfare, improve living standards, and enhance the overall well-being of the population, demonstrating the mining industry's positive impact on Liberia's people.

DD: How important is local content empowerment and what role can advocacy play across mining communities in Liberia?

LCM: At the Liberia Chambers of Mines, our members strongly? believed in the empowerment of local content to ensures that benefits such as employment, business opportunities, and skills development remain within the local population. This is what our members have been doing for years to ensure that the benefits of mining activities? promotes the local economy, and enhances community engagement and participation in decision-making processes.

Therefore, the intent of advocacy is to raise awareness, promoting dialogue between stakeholders, and advocating for policies that prioritize local content development. Advocacy is also intended to empower communities to voice their concerns, negotiate for fair compensation, and ensure that their rights are respected, their needs are addressed, and their aspirations are realized.

DD: In conclusion, what future do you envisage for Liberia’s mining industry?

LCM: Looking ahead, Liberia's mining industry has a promising future as the country possesses a wide variety of minerals, majority of which remain largely unexplored. This means the country has the potential for increased investment in the mining industry. It is based on this premise that we at the Liberia Chamber of Mines believe that? the mining sector needs further development?? in areas like logistics, mining support services, and as well as its value chain to? boosting the economy.

We also believe that for Liberia full mining potential to be realized,? there is a need for stronger collaboration between the government, mining companies, and communities so as? to maximizing benefits, mitigating environmental impacts, and ensuring long-term socio-economic growth.

Digging Deep are leaders in connecting mining businesses through a vast network of chambers, contractors & mining companies in Africa.

We specialize in connecting you to decision-makers in the African mining industry, and we do this through:

?? Market qualified leads from our network

?? Surveys and insights from mining personnel in Africa

? Content spotlighting on our LinkedIn page

Set up a quick meeting on the message button below.