Ivanhoe Atlantic Completes Environmental and Social Impact Assessments in Guinea and Liberia
Download Press Release
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) submissions for Phase 1 of project development and mining at the Kon Kweni Iron Ore Mine (“Kon Kweni”) in Guinea and related transport infrastructures and logistics in Liberia have been submitted to relevant government authorities
- The submission of the ESIA documents mark a significant milestone in Kon Kweni’s execution progress and follows a multi-year ESIA scoping process in compliance with International Finance Corporation and Equator Principle standards
- Submissions follow signing of Ivanhoe Atlantic’s Concession and Access Agreement (“CAA”) for Liberian multi-user rail and port infrastructure which is now before the Liberian National Legislature for ratification
Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc., a U.S. mining company, is pleased to confirm that it has completed environmental and social impact studies and submitted permit applications to the relevant authorities in both Guinea and Liberia. ESIA submissions move Ivanhoe Atlantic a step closer to commencing Kon Kweni construction activities in Q1 2026.
ESIA’s are undertaken to address the foreseeable effects and potential impacts resulting from project implementation and to identify mitigation measures to avoid, reduce and restore any potential impacts that may arise from the project’s development.
The Guinea ESIA relates to Phase 1 mining activities (initial production of 2mtpa ramping up to 5mtpa) and the Liberian ESIA relates to the infrastructure component of its Phase 1 development. Both ESIA’s are the result of extensive multi-year social, biophysical and biodiversity baseline studies, together with environmental, social impact and community engagement. The applications adhere to the standards of the International Finance Corporation and Equator Principles.
As a first in-a-generation cross-border project in the Mano River Union (MRU) – which includes Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Ivory Coast – Kon Kweni is poised to be a transformational and high impact investment that will generate long-term economic growth, infrastructure investment, and revenues for Liberia and Guinea, and foster further investment into the region.
Ivanhoe Atlantic President and CEO Bronwyn Barnes commented:
“Ensuring the environmental surroundings alongside our operations remain places where families, businesses and wildlife can thrive is foundational to Ivanhoe Atlantic’s business principles. The completion of both Phase 1 ESIA submissions is a significant milestone as we near the commencement of construction for Kon Kweni. Congratulations to our in-country teams and assessment partners, for the significant commitment to ensuring this process was completed to worlds best practice standards. The development of Kon Kweni is a significant contributor to both Guinean and Liberian economies and will provide a new high grade iron ore export stream that is aligned with US critical mineral supply chains.
“The ESIA applications reffect our strong commitment to sustainable and responsible development of mining projects and will ensure our future operations are carried out within a transparent, rigorous and sustainable environmental and social framework.
“We are delighted that our working relationship with the Governments of Guinea and Liberia continues to strengthen, as does the collaboration with our local communities and broader stakeholders. We look forward to working closely with authorities and stakeholders during consultation to support the ESIA review processes”.
Figure 1 – Various images of work programs around ESIA baseline studies run by Ivanhoe Atlantic with the support of its specialist environmental consultants
The Phase 1 development of Kon Kweni provides for an initial production of 2 – 5Mtpa of iron ore. Phase 2 development of Kon Kweni is targeted for commencement in 2029 and will be subject to separate ESIA processes with a target production expansion to 30Mtpa with associated infrastructure upgrades.
Diagram 1 – Proposed Phase 1 Kon Kweni Mine and Infrastructure Development
Contact details:
media@ivanhoeatlantic.com
www.ivanhoeatlantic.com
