It is reported that Liberia is poised to reap the rewards of its mineral riches once again, with the first shipment of iron ore produced since the end of its decades long civil war expected later this year and gold production due to resume in as soon as six months.

Liberia, one of the world's poorest countries, is still recovering from the 1989 to 2003 war that decimated its mining industry which, before 1990, contributed over 25% to GDP.

Mr Roosevelt Jayjay mining and energy minister told Reuters in an interview that Liberia is due to hold its second post conflict election later this year, but the country has already piqued the interest of international mining and oil firms, attracting USD 16 billion in foreign investment since 2006. He added that "There are a series of big companies lined up to go."

He said that top steelmaker ArcelorMittal is expected to make its first iron ore shipment in a little over 20 years in the next month or two.

The West African nation has also already marked out 17 oil blocks, 10 of which have already been snapped up, with Anadarko, Chevron and African Petroleum Corporation leading the pack for oil exploration.

(Sourced from www.thisdaylive.com)