President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has ordered the establishment of a Special Presidential Committee to conduct a comprehensive review and recommend a final resolution to the long-standing dispute surrounding the Buchanan iron ore tailings stockpile in Grand Bassa County. Government officials say the decision could unlock one of Liberia’s most valuable dormant mineral assets and mark a major step toward reforming governance in the extractive sector.
The Buchanan tailings, estimated at approximately 11.6 million metric tons, are widely regarded by mining experts as having significant commercial and strategic value. Depending on iron ore grades and prevailing global market prices, analysts estimate that the stockpile could generate tens of millions of U.S. dollars in revenue, create employment opportunities, and stimulate downstream economic activities if responsibly and transparently developed.
Despite this potential, the tailings have remained largely inactive for more than two decades, constrained by overlapping licensing claims, unresolved legal disputes, and regulatory uncertainty following the departure of the former Liberia-American Mining Company (LAMCO). The prolonged stalemate has turned the Buchanan tailings into a symbol of Liberia’s broader challenges in managing legacy mining assets. According to an executive directive issued on Saturday, President Boakai has constituted a Special Presidential Committee to examine the matter in its entirety and advise the government on a clear and lawful path forward.
The Committee will be chaired by the National Security Advisor to the President, underscoring the strategic and national importance attached to the issue. The Committee’s membership reflects a multi-agency approach designed to integrate legal, technical, regulatory, and investment perspectives. Its composition includes:
Government officials note that this structure is intended to ensure coordination across key institutions and to prevent the fragmented decision-making that has characterized previous attempts to resolve the dispute. The Special Presidential Committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of all historical and current matters related to the Buchanan tailings. Its mandate includes, but is not limited to:
In addition to fact-finding, the Committee is required to develop a clear roadmap for the transparent, sustainable, and lawful exploitation of the tailings, should the government decide to proceed. This roadmap must prioritize environmental compliance, alignment with Liberia’s mining laws, and adherence to international best practices. Officials emphasized that any future development of the Buchanan tailings will be subject to strict environmental safeguards. Tailings extraction, if poorly managed, can pose serious environmental and health risks.
As such, the Committee has been instructed to pay particular attention to environmental impact assessments, waste management plans, and long-term site rehabilitation. Equally important, the process is expected to integrate community development considerations, ensuring that residents of Grand Bassa County where the tailings are located derive tangible benefits from any eventual exploitation. “This initiative reflects the President’s determination to protect national assets while ensuring that local communities are not left behind,” a senior government official familiar with the Committee’s work stated.
“Employment opportunities, local procurement, community development projects, and fair revenue sharing will be central to the discussion.” The decision to elevate the Buchanan tailings issue to the level of the Presidency aligns with President Boakai’s broader agenda to strengthen governance in Liberia’s natural resources sector. Mining remains a key pillar of the national economy, accounting for a significant share of export earnings. Yet, several valuable assets including tailings, inactive concessions, and legacy mining sites—remain underutilized or poorly managed due to weak oversight and policy inconsistencies.
By initiating a high-level review, the Boakai administration is signaling its intent to break with past practices and restore confidence among citizens, investors, and development partners. “The Government of Liberia remains committed to accountability, transparency, and restoring confidence in the management of national resources,” an official statement accompanying the directive said. Mining analysts note that resolving the Buchanan tailings dispute could have far-reaching implications beyond Grand Bassa County.
Properly managed, the project could contribute to national revenue, strengthen Liberia’s mining value chain, and demonstrate the government’s ability to address complex legacy issues. The Committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within the timeframe outlined in its terms of reference. Upon receipt, President Boakai will review the recommendations and determine the way forward, including potential policy, legal, or investment decisions. If successfully resolved, the Buchanan tailings dispute could mark a turning point in Liberia’s efforts to transform dormant mineral wealth into sustainable economic growth and inclusive development.
