By Samuel Doe
The Management of Solway Investment Group, a private mining and metals group headquartered in Switzerland with global operations, through Maxime Senecaut, Official Representative of Solway Investment Group in Liberia, has distanced Solway from Russia, saying the company does not have any business with Russia.
It can be recalled that a fortnight ago, it was reported in the Liberian media that Solway was a Russian Company.
But Mr. Senecaut, responding to media inquiries regarding the media reports when he addressed the Press Union of Liberia(PUL) Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum on Thursday, September 29, 2022 in Sanniquellie City, Nimba, categorically rubbished the media reports and described the media reports as false and misleading.
The Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum was part of series of activities that marked the 58th Anniversary of the PUL. This year’s anniversary celebration focused on the Digital Business Model, the New Way in Media Marketing Innovation at a time business in the media has declined
Speaking further, Mr. Senecaut, however, was quick to point that Solway, like any other mining company, worked in Russia, stating, ‘’In the past, we had exploration to Russia like Mittal Steel did, like any other company did, but since the war between Russia and Ukraine surfaced, we had few investments and operational projects in Russia and on 3 March 2022, Solway exited Russia because of the war against Ukraine. This process is legally completed.”
Contrary to the media reports, the official representative of Solway Investment Group in Liberia, also clarified that the owners of the company are European Citizens.
‘‘Solway has neither Russian roots nor does it have business relations with Russia. Solway Investment Group is a private international mining and metals group based in Switzerland and operates mines with a focus on nickel and copper production in Northern Macedonia, Argentina, Guatemala, Liberia, Indonesia and Ukraine. None of the managers and owners of Solway is a Russian citizen or resident. Solway is wholly owned and managed by EU citizens. In addition, there are no relations with the Kremlin in Moscow,’’ he asserted.
Meanwhile, Solway joined the PUL to support the development of journalism in the region on the day of the 58th Anniversary of the Union in Sanniquellie City, Nimba County. Solway Investment Group joined 300 journalists in discussing the role of media and public information literacy in creating peaceful, prosperous, just, and inclusive societies.
‘‘By supporting the umbrella organization for media professionals and local, national, and international institutions in Liberia Solway is aiming to grow its own knowledge and promote further public understanding of the functions of the media and other information providers about how to critically evaluate their content and to make informed choices as users and producers of information and media content,’’ the company said in a statement.
“Solway has been developing an iron-ore exploration project in Liberia for a few years and is now entering its new cycle of production. We were always dedicated to making it right from the very beginning and working in compliance with international regulations and global standards of good practice.
Our emphasis is on constructive and open engagement with our stakeholders, including ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms. From our experiences in other countries, we know about the importance of understanding and explaining complex issues, respecting pluralistic information systems and freedom of opinion and expression. These can highly impact the quality of life of citizens in the regions where we operate, mostly in terms of good governance and accountability. We believe that collaborating with the National Press Union will help us bring sustainability of our business practices to the next level on the way to becoming a good and trusted local corporate citizen, appreciated by all the communities in which we operate,” said the official representative of Solway Investment Group in Liberia.
According to him, Solway is currently undergoing the continuing transition process led by the board of directors and aimed at making real improvements identified in the Group’s ESG implementation plan.
In this context, the group recently introduced the new corporate Human Rights Policy committing to respecting and promoting national laws and internationally recognized human rights principles, and to operating in alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and HighRisk Areas
Solway in Liberia Solway Mining Group is a subsidiary of Solway Industries Limited and has been licensed by the
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