March 10- Youssef Diamond Mining Company is committed to good business practices in Liberia.
A statement released Friday said, it has been licensed by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Mines and Energy to conduct mineral resources assessment and is in good business standing. Over the past 11 years, YDMC has discovered numerous Kimberlite pipes and dikes in the Camp Alpha area of Gbarpolu County and Cape Mount County that outnumber the Kimberlite emplacements throughout other areas of West Africa. These Kimberlite emplacements when mined can lead to a better economic future for Liberia and be of great benefit to her people.
Within the Gola Forest National Park Act, SECTION 7: MINERAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT IN THE PARK, the Government of the Republic of Liberia expressly approved the continuation of exploration activities within the Park area for the purposes of mineral resources assessment to add value to the Liberian economy and her people. YDMC has been licensed by the Government of Liberia to accomplish this.
GFNP ACT SECTION 7: MINERAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT IN THE PARK:
"The government of Liberia shall have, as provided in the constitution of the Republic, the rights at all times to prospect for minerals and conduct scientific research in the park with the collaboration of the Park authority."
In a recent newspaper article, entitled: "Youssef Diamond Mining Company Accused of Illegally Mining in Gola Forest,"YDMC was wrongly accused by a group of journalists that its activities were not legitimate per the Gola National Forest Act. In response to this, the Ministry of Mines and Energy reaffirmed the rights for YDMC to continue to work in the areas around Camp Alpha in a letter written by the Minister of Mines and Energy Honorable Gestler Murray. Here is an excerpt from that letter:
"YDMC has been carrying out detailed mineral exploration activities in the Camp Alpha area since 2012. The license they possess was extended in 2016, just at the same time the act that established the Gola Forest National Park was being enacted,". This effectively confirmed without a doubt that YDMC activities are legal as far as the Government of Liberia was concerned.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy in an official communication responding to the article informed the group that "the Ministry of Mines and Energy is a very strong advocate for environmental stewardship during prospecting and mineral exploration activates as required by Environmental Protection Act of Liberia, the Minerals and Mining Law of 2000 the Regulations Governing Mineral Exploration Activities, and the RIGHT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA TO PROSPECT AND CONDUCT MINERAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT WITHIN THE GFNP (Gola Forest National Park ) AS ENVISAGED BY SECTION 7 OF THE 2017 ACT THAT ESTABLISHED THE GOLA FOREST NATIONAL PARK."
The Government of Liberia has licensed YDMC to conduct these mineral resource assessment activities in this area. YDMC will continue its exploration to add value to the Liberian economy through the discovery of valuable mineral resources, especially Kimberlite diamond pipes, and dikes.
YDMC has a fantastic relationship with the local community that is very supportive of its exploration activities. Over the years, YDMC has completed numerous corporate social responsibility projects in the Camp Alpha areas of Gbarpolu County and Cape Mount County such as building a school, multiple churches, mosques, and a town hall, and is extending her support to care for families and children. This year, 2023 YDMC is building a free medical clinic for the community among its other beneficial initiatives for the people of Liberia.