Liberian Senator Moves to Cancel Gold Mining Deal Over Delays

A senior Liberian senator has launched a formal effort to cancel a major gold mining concession, accusing the company of failing to start work for five years. Senator Numene Bartekwa of Grand Kru County has petitioned the full Liberian Senate. He wants it to deratify, or officially cancel, the Mineral Development Agreement with Hummingbird Resources Liberia Inc. The senator cites the company's lack of operational activity since it acquired the rights in 2019. A Mineral Development Agreement is a contract granting a company permission to explore and extract minerals. The petition now goes before the Senate Plenary, which is the full assembly of senators. They will decide whether to review and potentially revoke the concession. Hummingbird Resources, a gold mining company, has not yet publicly responded to the senator's action. The outcome could impact foreign investment and mining sector development in Liberia.