Monrovia – Mansa Resources Limited has pledged to invest approximately US$600 million in the development of the Dugbe Gold Project in southeastern Liberia, a move expected to create thousands of jobs, stimulate local businesses, and strengthen the country’s mining sector.
The commitment was announced following a meeting between President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. and a high-level delegation from Mansa Resources led by Chief Executive Officer Sébastien de Montessus, accompanied by Michael Wrotniak, an investment manager with Orion Resource Partners, one of the company’s key financial backers.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting at the President’s residence, Dimont-Tessu reaffirmed the company’s determination to move forward with the long-awaited Dugbe project, which Mansa fully acquired earlier this year following its takeover of Pasofino Gold Limited.
“We are very happy and thankful to the President for spending time with us,” Dimont-Tessu said. “The objective was to reiterate to the President and the Cabinet that Mansa Resources is committed to the development of the Dugbe project. This project has been awaited for a long time, and Mansa has now taken over and will be developing it.”
The acquisition, completed in February 2026, gave Mansa full ownership and control of the Dugbe Gold Project, one of Liberia’s largest undeveloped gold assets. The transaction was backed by major investors, including Nioko Resources Corporation and Orion Resource Partners, signaling strong confidence in the project’s long-term potential.
Major Economic Boost
According to Dimont-Tessu, Mansa plans to invest roughly US$600 million over the next two and a half to three years as it advances the project toward production.
“This is a very large project,” he said. “We are talking about a US$600 million investment over the next two years to two and a half years. That will create between 1,000 and 2,000 direct jobs during construction, and many more indirect jobs.”
He emphasized that the mine is expected to operate for at least two decades, generating substantial revenues for the Liberian government while contributing to infrastructure development, education, and workforce training.
“We are here for the long term,” he said. “The mine will generate income for the government and support investments in infrastructure, education, and training programs designed to grow Liberian talent.”
Priority for Liberian Workers and Businesses
Mansa executives stressed that local participation would be central to the project’s development strategy.
The company plans to prioritize Liberian contractors and suppliers in its procurement processes while ensuring that the overwhelming majority of jobs are filled by Liberians.
Dimont-Tessu said that during construction, the project could employ up to 2,000 workers on-site, with approximately 1,000 permanent jobs expected once production begins.
“When you include suppliers and contractors, between 4,000 and 5,000 people could be working directly or indirectly because of the mine,” he said. “Our objective is to ensure that 90 to 95 percent of jobs are held by Liberians.”
The company identified education, vocational training, employment, infrastructure development, and sustainable community development as key pillars of its investment strategy.
Responsible Mining Commitment
Orion Resource Partners also highlighted its commitment to ensuring the project meets international environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
Wertniak said Orion’s investment philosophy focuses on supporting management teams capable of developing mining projects responsibly and sustainably.
“We identify world-class management teams that develop projects according to best-in-class industry standards,” he said. “Developing projects responsibly is a core value for us, and we take that commitment very seriously.”
He noted that Orion’s delegation included senior officials responsible for overseeing responsible investment practices globally, underscoring the importance the company places on environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Fulfilling an Investment Promise
Wertniak also referenced President Boakai’s July 2025 visit to Washington, where the Liberian leader encouraged American investors to increase their involvement in Liberia’s mining sector.
“I apologized to the President,” Wertniak said. “I told him that when he met President Donald Trump at the White House last year, he encouraged American capital to come to Liberia. I said I was sorry it took us 11 months, but we are here now and excited to support Mansa’s next chapter of growth.”
Dugbe Positioned as Strategic Asset
The Dugbe Gold Project is located within the highly prospective Birimian Gold Belt in southeastern Liberia and contains an estimated 3.9 million ounces of gold resources.
Following the acquisition, Mansa now controls two major West African gold assets: the operating Kouroussa Gold Mine in Guinea and the Dugbe Gold Project in Liberia.
The company plans to complete an updated feasibility study in the second half of 2026 and move toward a Final Investment Decision before the end of the year under the framework of Liberia’s existing 25-year Mineral Development Agreement.
If successfully developed, Dugbe is expected to become one of West Africa’s most significant gold mining operations and a major contributor to Liberia’s economic growth, employment creation, and long-term industrial development.
