Is Bong Mines Liberia’s biggest iron ore mine?

Claim: A senatorial candidate in the Nimba by-election asserted that “Bong Mines has the biggest iron ore deposit in Liberia.”

Verdict: Misleading. The Ministry of Mines and Energy said the Nimba Iron Ore Mine, operated by ArcelorMittal, is Liberia’s biggest iron ore mine.

Full Text

With days to the ensuing Nimba senatorial by-election, some candidates assembled in Sanniquellie, Nimba’s capital, to debate with other aspirants and share their visions with the voters. 

Making his presentation about the economic development of Liberia, Matenokay Tingban 

said Liberians are deprived of the country’s resources.  

He said Nimba has the ‘biggest iron ore mine in the country,’ but the county is still underdeveloped. He made the statement from 1:14:19 to 1:14:22 of the debate.

Responding to Tingban’s statement, Torbor Farngalo asserted that Tingban is incorrect, claiming that “Bong Mines has the largest iron ore deposit in the country.” He can be heard from 1:34:23 to 1:34:38.    

DUBAWA decided to verify the claim spawned by the controversy.

Verification 

DUBAWA contacted the Ministry of Mines and Energy to verify the information. The Ministry of Mines and Energy is the institution that manages Liberia’s natural resources.

In response, Minister Wilmot Paye, in charge of Mines and Energy, said, “No, Bong Mines is certainly not the biggest,” Paye said. “The largest is the Nimba Iron Ore Mine, which ArcelorMittal is operating.”

Conclusion 

In view of the clarification made, Torbor Farngalo’s assertion that Bong Mines has the largest iron ore deposit in Liberia is misleading.