Company sources say the move is intended to compensate affected people. According to the AMC, the potential beneficiaries predominantly women, youth groups and elders would be relocated to new sites with well modernized houses, school, clinic other socio-economic benefits provided for them.

The AMC leaders intimated that the company has contracted a South African-based environmental group, Digby West, to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected areas in Gola Konneh District.

In an effort to ensure the participation of local entities, the South African company has also contracted Earthcom, a Liberian environmental group in Monrovia to carry out an environmental impact assessment of the same area.

It can be recalled that prior to the current ongoing verification initiative, initial registration was carried out to determine the numerical strength of would-be affected beneficiaries.

All of these initiatives are being carried out in the area because the AMC wants to conduct its activities in compliance with the best international practices.

Besides, the AMC leadership also pointed out that the Equator Principles require that a project be assessed in terms of the potential impacts on the environment.

Other partners involved in the AMC project in terms of observing genuine norms are the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to observe performance standards and the World Bank Sectoral Guidelines.

Such includes assessing all environmental and social impacts as well as management plans.

The process, according to officials of AMC, includes public consultation and disclosure process.

The focus is on land acquisition and involuntary resettlement of indigenous people and the protection of their cultural heritage.

The goal is human rights and the rights of host communities to ensure just compensation to project affected people, the company said.