With less than six months after its entry into the Liberia iron ore mining sector, Western Cluster Liberia Limited has made a robust move by becoming a member of the Liberia Chamber of Mines. Western Cluster Liberia Limited is part of Vedanta Group of Companies, and signed a mineral development agreement with the government in 2011 but suspended operation due to Ebola and Covid-19 viral outbreaks.
The company felt the need to become a part of an organization that is a consortium of mining companies and businesses. LCM was established to help strengthen the role of the sector’s actors in advancing the mining industry of Liberia, complementing the government’s effort to achieve some of its developmental goals.
The induction ceremony was done last week. The Executive Director of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, Monique Cooper Liverpool, expressed confidence in its performance. According to her, the Chamber of Mines is also focused on the private sector, and not only on companies holding licenses.
Liverpool, who has vast experience in mining, added that membership in the Liberia Chamber of Mines is not limited to mining companies, but also extended to entities providing legal services, logistical, geological, transportation services and other types of supply chains.
“That’s how we create a more vibrant mining industry through our association. It is very encouraging for us to see Western Cluster Limited coming back in the mining area,” she said further. “There are processes that help transport the iron ore from the rail under the transportation sector. There are also so many things that the Liberia Chamber of Mines brings to the sector,” she stated.
Receiving the certificate of induction, Chetan Savant, Head of Western Cluster Liberia, thanked officials of Liberia Chamber of Mines for creating a smooth pathway for them. He said he was glad for the company to be a member of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, which pushes the interest of its members.
“Government is the regulator of the sector, and I think by establishing this group it will help unite us for the common goal of our sector,” he added. The Liberia Chamber of Mines has a little over 30 members, and it is open to recruiting more members.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Liberia Chambers of Mines, Amara Kamara, said the existence of the Liberian Chamber of Mines will create an avenue to have one voice in the mining sector. Kamara said it is a big boost to have a company like Western Cluster Limited join the Liberia Chambers of Mines, describing the group as a big platform for advocacy and advisory in the mining sector. “For us, it’s a big boost to have us being part of this association as a member. It is a big platform for advocacy, so, to be a part of this, we are happy.”