By: Mongabay

Plans to develop the Kon Kweni iron ore project in Guinea’s ecologically sensitive Nimba mountain range are facing renewed opposition from conservationists who warn the mine could drive several endemic species to extinction. The project, led by Ivanhoe Atlantic, threatens two recently documented bat species—the Nimba Mountain bat and the critically endangered Lamotte’s roundleaf bat—as well as western chimpanzees, a live-bearing toad, and rare amphibians found only in this region.

The Nimba range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its exceptional biodiversity but has been on the “in danger” list since 1992 due to mining pressures. The proposed mine and associated infrastructure would fragment forests, disrupt wildlife corridors, and pollute waterways, with cascading effects on both ecosystems and local communities.

Environmental groups, including Bat Conservation International, Re:wild, and the Amphibian Survival Alliance, have raised concerns over the expedited and opaque environmental impact assessment process. They note that key experts were not consulted and that the assessment excludes later mining phases and closure plans, despite guidance from UNESCO and the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment urging a comprehensive evaluation.

Guinea’s Ministry of Environment has stated that environmental authorization is still pending and that the assessment will be reviewed by UNESCO, IUCN, and other independent bodies. Conservationists are calling for a moratorium on mining activities affecting the World Heritage Site to allow for proper scientific consultation and sustainable planning, emphasizing that the area’s unique biodiversity warrants the highest level of protection.