Delta Company Consolidated (DMC) has revealed a big investment package for Liberian within the time span of six months. Delta won the bid for the exploration and mining of the Western Cluster Iron Ore ahead of several leading mining companies.

The investment package is equivalent to US$1.6 billion, the company Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Heine Van Niekerk said. But the most important that is yet to be done is the signing of an agreement between the Government and Delta.

According to observers, the signing of an agreement will set the stage for full operations and give Liberians an insight of what the company is bringing, terms of reference and for how long it is going to be here.

But the company has promised to start op-erations as soon as possible. Whether it would do so in the absence of an agreement is a guess but observers say anything contrary will cast doubts in the minds of Liberians and will give credence to concerns that the government favored Delta.

Delta is to mine the Western Cluster Iron Ore Deposits which include Bomi Hills, Mano River and Beah Mountain in Grand Cape Mountain County.  Though a formal contract has not been signed, the Company has begun given percentage of the number of Liberians that will benefit from employment.

Chief Executive Officer Niekerk told a news conference over the weekend that his company will employ over 60%Liberians, especially those who are originated from the counties of their operation.

One thing that did not let out of mind is the fact that his company and the Liberian government have not signed any formal agreement, before it can start operations.

He said “While is true that his company and the Liberian government have not signed the concession agreement, activities of the DMC Company will start as soon as possible. As you know, it has to pass through process, may be it might be delayed”, he said. But observers say whether delay or not, an agreement must be signed.

According to him, the company will mine 5 million metric tones of ore in Bomi Hill, 5 million metric tones of ore in Mano River for 25 years while the same will be done with the Beah Mountain for 15 years.

Mr. Niekerk told journalists over the weekend in Monrovia that the first two years will be used for feasibility studies and experimenting, adding that they will take cue of environment protection, noting that the feasibility study will show the challenges and they as accompany will know where to start from.

He said full mining will start in the third year of operation and will focus on infrastructures development, such as rehabilitating schools, health centers, rail road, good roads network, water and electricity. 

“The operation of the company is not a day’s thing, the proper mechanism needs to be put into place to avoid huge challenges in the future”, he cautioned.

 He praised the government of Liberia for selecting his company, noting that they are an African-owned company and will observe and respect the laws of the counties of operation. He said his company is currently operating in South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Sierra Leone.