BEA MOUNTAINS
The Bea is a single stretch of mountain of approximately 14 miles in overall length, located in Gola Konneh and Porkpa Districts, Grand Cape Mount County, approximately 60 miles Northwest of Monrovia.
The iron ore deposits at the Bea Mountains were first indicated by an airborne magnetic survey undertaken by Aerow Service Corporation in 1957 for the Liberia Mining Company (LMC), which at that time was operating the Bomi Hills and to make arrangements for mining at Mano Rivers Mines.
In 1959, an exploration crew from Mine Management Associates of the NIOC initiated geological studies of the mountains. The work was concentrated on the north-eastern section of the mountain, near the town of Weajue. The results did not prove favourable.
Between December 1959 and January 1961, further exploration works were conducted near the central section of the Bea Mountains. Geologic mapping and modest core drilling programs were implemented. The results showed iron occurrence of economic potential. For unknown reasons, activities were suspended after January 1961.
Exploration activities resumed on the Bea Mountains in January 1965 under the “BEX Project”. The program was organized by Republic Steel Corporation, and received consultancy and logistical supports from the LMC and NIOC. Several trenches were dug and bulk samples were sent to the Colorado School of Mines & Research Institute for analytical and beneficiation testing. Further drill core samples were sent for testing in 1969.
In 1976, the services of Arthur D. Little, Inc. were hired to evaluate the economic feasibility of developing the Bea Mountains iron ore deposit. With the prevailing depressed state of the European steel industry and the price of iron ore low ($0.44/ metric ton unit), development did not commence.
In 1981, Arthur D. Little, Inc. was requested to conduct another study of the Bea Mountains, to evaluate the surface ore operation for making sinter feed concentrate to mix with the Mano River Concentrates. The report of the findings was favourable that there were sufficient indicated and inferred reserves to produce about 4.5 million long tons for a period of over 20 years. However, the implementation of the work was dependent on the support of NIOC (producers of the Mano River concentrates).
With serious administrative problems hampering NIOC in 1981, leading to its subsequent closure on March 31, 1985, the exploitation of iron ore from the Bea Mountains did not materialize.
Current Status and Summary of key deposits
This region will demand more extensive research and investigation which will take longer to complete. This is because the area has received relatively little detailed attention thus far and the taconite ore is a challenge in any context due to its relatively low grade and the complexity and expense of upgrading the ore to a marketable product.
However, the review will also take account of any early opportunities, which may be peeled off as they emerge. Otherwise the exploration, planning of production and establishment processing facilities and of new infrastructure will place the development of this area into the full scale production phase. Again the opportunity to ship out of Robertsport will be a key element in these studies and determinations.