The Blei Community Forest, originally designated for conservation, has become the center of a struggle between ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) and Solway Mining Incorporated, both seeking mining rights within the area. Overlapping licenses, conflicting agreements, and unclear regulatory oversight have fueled confusion and community division. Despite initial conservation objectives, mining interests have gradually eroded community control and forest protection efforts. The government’s failure to ensure clear governance structures has left the Gba and Zor communities vulnerable and without sustainable forest management.