Publications

This report reveals that Liberia earns too little from its iron ore exports. It reveals that the country gives overly generous tax breaks to iron ore investors grossly undercutting its revised Revenue Code. For example, while the Revenue Code requires multinationals to pay 30 percent income taxes on all corporate profits, ArcelorMittal, China Union, and Putu only pay 25 percent. The report also reveals that state-citizen relations and relations between local communities and foreign multi-nationals operating in the mining sector are strained.

The Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), founded in 2002, was accredited by the Government of Liberia in 2004. Following a decade of work on community rights issues in the forestry, agriculture, land, and mining sectors, the SDI is using its 10th Anniversary to reflect on achievements and challenges to inform planning for the future. Achievements in this context refer to progressive changes in policies, laws and regulations governing the natural resources sector to which the organisation has made significant interventions.

This guide is intended to support communities make an informed and participatory decision about whether or not they want to share their lands and resources with companies or investors. It is meant to help make sure that communities think carefully about if they want to share their lands and resources, and if yes, how to make sure those communities will get a fair deal in return. This guide will help foster peace between a community and company or investor through open and honest discussions.

These posters explain details of Sime Darby and Golden Veroleum Liberia’s concession agreements with the Government of Liberia highlighting key areas of concern related to community rights. The posters are designed to be used as educational resources for communities. They are for educational purposes only; for legal interpretations please refer to the original contracts.

The Government of Liberia has drafted a new land policy that recognizes community ownership rights over their customary lands. The Community Guide to Protecting Community Lands and Resources teaches communities how to go through the process of documenting and protecting their customary lands and natural resources.

This report presents an analysis of lessons learned from the forest sector reform process and includes recommendations for all key players to ensure the implementation of the VPA will contribute to improving good governance in Liberia.