- Ivanhoe Atlantic’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) for Phase One transport and logistics infrastructure has been formally accepted by the Government of Liberia.
- ESIA approval is a major milestone in advancing the Kon Kweni Ultra-High Grade Iron Ore Project.
- This milestone follows the ratification of Ivanhoe Atlantic’s Concession and Access Agreement (“CAA”) to access Liberian multi-user rail and port infrastructure.
- The Company now progresses with final approvals with the Government of Guinea in the coming weeks.
Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc, a US mining company, is pleased to announce that it has secured a key environmental approval for the use of Liberian transport and logistics infrastructure for the Kon Kweni Ultra-High Grade Iron Ore Project.
The acceptance by the Government of Liberia of the ESIA, which was developed by the Earthtime Group, a leading Liberian environmental and social advisory firm accredited by Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), represents a significant regulatory and development milestone for Ivanhoe Atlantic. It advances Phase One project activities associated with rail, port, and related logistics infrastructure in Liberia.
Ambassador (Ret.) Dr J Peter Pham, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, said: “This approvals milestone in Liberia is a testament to the dedication and thoroughness demonstrated by our Ivanhoe Atlantic team and our specialist partners throughout the process. We believe that promoting the wellbeing of the environment and of communities where we operate are essential principles that guide our business decisions.
“This milestone underscores our strong and collaborative relationship with the Government of Liberia while reinforcing our commitment to developing multi-user infrastructure that generates long-term economic value, creates employment opportunities, and delivers broader benefits to Liberia. We look forward to soon seeing the establishment of the National Rail Authority, which advances a true independently operated multi-user access system in Liberia.”
The ESIA was undertaken to evaluate the foreseeable environmental and social effects of project development and operations, and to identify mitigation and management measures to avoid, reduce, and restore potential impacts. The Liberian ESIA is the result of extensive multi-year social, environmental, and biodiversity baseline studies, supported by comprehensive stakeholder and community engagement programmes.
Developed in accordance with Liberian regulatory requirements and adhering to the standards of the International Finance Corporation and the Equator Principles, the ESIA reflects Ivanhoe Atlantic’s commitment to responsible, transparent, and sustainable development.
Phase One of the Kon Kweni development includes the establishment and operation of multi-user rail and port infrastructure in Liberia to support the export of ultra-high grade iron ore. The project is expected to contribute meaningfully to infrastructure investment, job creation, and economic growth in Liberia.
Future expansion phases will be subject to separate regulatory approvals and environmental and social assessment processes. This project is expected to bring large-scale investments to Liberia and generate 500 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs during the project’s lifecycle.
