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ADnews-Monrovia, Liberia: Ivanhoe Liberia Ltd. has released the Public Participation and Stakeholder Engagement chapter of its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), independently produced by Earthtime, one of Liberia’s leading environmental and social consulting firms. The ESIA is now under review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The disclosure comes after members of the Legislature pressed the company during recent public hearings on the Ivanhoe Atlantic Access and Concession Agreement, demanding clarity on the extent of community engagement carried out in Nimba, Bong and Grand Bassa counties.
The ESIA chapter outlines the company’s consultations with residents living along the Yekepa-to-Buchanan corridor, an area expected to host major components of the project, including a haul road, rail infrastructure and port operations.
The stakeholder engagement process was conducted from March 17 to April 4, 2025, and involved high-level meetings, town hall sessions and focus group discussions. Participants included youth leaders, chiefs and elders, artisanal miners, farmers, hunters, Zoes, transport unions, fishermen, civil society representatives, and local government officials.
The report categorizes stakeholders into “affected parties”, primarily residents living in the project’s social area of influence, and “interested parties.” Communities identified in the affected zone include Gbapa, Zolowee, Camp Four, Yekepa, Big Fanti Town, Small Fanti Town, Liagbala, Yila, Botota, Yapea, Rock Crusher Community, Peace Community, Green Hill Quarry and Zoweinta.
The assessment highlights varying livelihood conditions tied to the proximity of communities to proposed project activities. It also identifies vulnerable groups such as elderly residents, female-headed households, persons with disabilities, single parents and low-income families.
Discussions raised during consultations focused on employment opportunities, training, environmental and social impacts, compensation and benefit-sharing, local governance, biodiversity protection and grievance procedures. Community delegates repeatedly emphasized job creation and local hiring as top priorities, while also seeking assurances on transport safety and compensation for potential crop loss.
High-level stakeholders voiced similar concerns, pressing the company on the scope of planned infrastructure, potential environmental risks and mechanisms to ensure fair benefit distribution.
Ivanhoe Liberia said the ESIA submitted to the EPA includes all required Environmental Management Plans. The company added that it will hire community liaison officers to strengthen communication with local residents as the EPA conducts its own due diligence on the document, part of standard regulatory procedures before project approval.
Another round of stakeholder engagements is expected during the EPA’s review process.
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