MONROVIA — Liberia's ambitions to attract large-scale international investment received a significant boost this month as Mansa Resources reaffirmed its commitment to developing the Dugbe Gold Project, one of the country's largest undeveloped gold deposits, following high-level meetings with President Joseph Boakai and senior government officials.

The visit, led by Mansa Resources chief executive Sébastien de Montessus alongside executives from Orion Resource Partners, one of the world's leading mining-focused investment firms, comes at a pivotal moment for both the company and Liberia. For Mansa, Dugbe represents a cornerstone of its strategy to build a new West African gold mining platform. For Liberia, the project could become one of the country's most significant private-sector investments in decades.

A joint statement issued after the meetings described a shared commitment to responsible resource development, local employment and sustainable economic growth, while outlining ambitious targets for investment, job creation and local participation.

Located in southeastern Liberia, Dugbe has long been regarded by industry observers as one of the country's most promising undeveloped gold assets. Although the project has been under evaluation for several years, the latest discussions suggest renewed momentum under Mansa Resources and Sebastien de Montessus’s leadership, following the restructuring of mining operations previously run by Hummingbird Resources.

Located in southeastern Liberia, Dugbe has long been regarded by industry observers as one of the country's most promising undeveloped gold assets. Although the project has been under evaluation for several years, the latest discussions suggest renewed momentum under Mansa Resources and Sebastien de Montessus’s leadership, following the restructuring of mining operations previously run by Hummingbird Resources.

The company has announced plans to invest approximately US$600 million in Liberia over the next three years through local procurement, contractor engagement, infrastructure, workforce training and community development initiatives.

"The investment in the Dugbe Project is not just a mining investment. It is a broad economic stimulus for Liberia that we want to achieve with the support of the government and people of Liberia," Sébastien de Montessus said following the meetings.

"During construction and operations, we expect strong linkages into the local economy. Liberian suppliers, transport services, hospitality businesses and SMEs will all feel the impact."

For the Liberian government, such commitments align closely with President Boakai's efforts to attract foreign capital while ensuring that natural resource projects deliver broader economic benefits. According to the joint statement, the president reaffirmed his administration's commitment to maintaining a stable and predictable investment environment, while stressing that Liberia's natural resources must generate tangible benefits for its citizens through employment, business opportunities and government revenues.

Beyond the headline investment figure, Dugbe's projected economic footprint is substantial.

Mansa Resources estimates that the mine will employ between 900 and 950 people once operations reach full scale. The company has committed to prioritising Liberian workers, projecting that nationals will represent approximately two-thirds of the workforce when operations begin, rising to between 90 and 95 per cent within four years through structured training, apprenticeships and skills development programmes.

"We want Liberians to be the primary beneficiaries. Liberian talent must drive the project," de Montessus said.

"Those construction and mining jobs are not just numbers; they represent real families and livelihoods. We will be putting in place structured training, apprenticeships and skills-development programmes so Liberians are not only employed but can progress into skilled and supervisory roles."

The emphasis on local content reflects a broader trend across Africa's mining sector, where governments increasingly seek to maximise domestic participation in projects traditionally financed and operated by international investors.

Mansa Resources says Dugbe is targeting full operations by 2028, with expected annual production of approximately 200,000 ounces of gold. At that level, the project would rank among Liberia's most important gold operations and is expected to generate revenues for the government through royalties, corporate taxes, payroll taxes and other statutory payments.

"At 200,000 ounces of gold annually, this is a significant production profile for Liberia's mining sector," de Montessus said.

"But beyond revenue, the bigger picture is what this enables—more fiscal space for government to invest in roads, schools, healthcare and national priorities."

Mansa Resources itself represents a new entrant in the region's mining landscape. The Dubai-based company was established following the restructuring of Hummingbird Resources' West African assets and now controls the Kouroussa gold mine in Guinea alongside the Dugbe project in Liberia.

Its shareholder structure combines international mining finance with African capital. Orion Resource Partners, headquartered in New York, is one of the world's largest specialist mining investment firms, with extensive experience in mine finance, royalties and streaming transactions.

The company's principal shareholder is Burkinabè entrepreneur Idrissa Nassa, founder of Coris Bank International, one of West Africa's leading banking groups. Through his investment company, Nassa has become one of the region's most prominent investors in the mining sector, reflecting a broader trend of African capital taking larger ownership positions in strategic natural-resource projects alongside international financial partners.

Industry analysts view Mansa's emergence as part of a wider restructuring underway across the African mining industry, where experienced operators and specialist investors are acquiring assets from mid-tier producers and seeking to unlock their long-term value.

Although considerable work remains before Dugbe enters production—including updated technical studies, financing, regulatory approvals and construction—the meetings in Monrovia underline the determination of both the Liberian government and Mansa Resources to move the project forward.

For Liberia, Dugbe is more than another mining concession. It has become a test of whether the country can attract long-term investment while ensuring that economic gains are shared through local employment, business development and public revenues.

For Mansa Resources, meanwhile, the project has quickly become the flagship of its West African growth strategy.

"We are here for the long term. This is a partnership with Liberia, not a short-term extraction project," de Montessus said.

"We are committed to delivering a responsible project that creates lasting value, builds capacity and contributes meaningfully to national development."

Whether Dugbe ultimately fulfils those ambitions will depend not only on market conditions and project execution, but also on the strength of the partnership between investors, government and local communities. For now, both sides appear determined to position the project as a model for the next generation of resource development in Liberia.