Liberia: Ministry of Mines Introduces New Fee Structure, Uncovers Additional Revenue Sources to Boost Liberians’ Participation in the Mineral Sector

Monrovia – A report from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MLME) has revealed that the Government of Liberia (GoL) is poised to generate millions of United States dollars annually from the mineral sector through new strategies and innovations introduced by the current management team.

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By Obediah Johnson

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The ministry, headed by Wilmot Paye, former Chairman of the Unity Party (UP), says the new measures are designed to support President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST agenda and increase Liberian participation in the sector.

New Revenue Sources

According to the report obtained by FrontPage Africa, MLME is, for the first time, issuing licenses for industrial minerals such as barite, corundum, garnet, and granite, targeting US$565,650 annually.

Additional projections include:

• US$61,500 from quarry licenses, laterite mining permits, and rock royalties.
• US$121,500 from dredging activities, including ocean sand mining permits, bucket ladder dredge gold/diamond permits, and suction dredge permits.
• US$335,150 from strategic minerals such as coltan, HMS, and lithium.
• US$145,000 from the importation of mining explosives and accessories, including storage and import licenses.
• US$27,000 from mining surveyor licenses for Class A, artisanal, and small-scale miners.
• US$13,650 from the transfer of mineral rights.
• US$600 from administrative fees for applications, surveys, and coordinate adjustments.

Consultancy and Contractor Fees

The ministry also set fees for consultancy and professional services:

• Foreign consultancy firms: US$10,000; Liberian firms: US$1,000.
• Individual consultants: US$5,000 for foreigners; US$500 for Liberians.
• Foreign mine contractors: US$10,000 annually; Liberian contractors: US$1,500.
• Individual foreign contractors: US$5,000; Liberians: US$500.

Mining Licenses and Royalties

• Iron ore license: US$500,000 annually.
• Blasting revenue target: US$52,000.

For diamonds:

• Class A license increased from US$35,000 (2010–2025) to US$500,000.
• Class B license: US$15,000; Class C: US$150.
• Royalty for Class B mining licenses (both Liberian and foreign): US$50,000, replacing the previous 3% royalty charge.
• Dealer/export license: US$25,000; Cut/polish license: US$35,000.
• Projected revenue: US$625,650 from licenses to companies, brokers, dealers, and exporters.

For gold:

• Class A license: US$500,000; Class B: US$15,000; Class C: US$150.
• Jewelry licenses: US$3,000 (Class A), US$1,000 (Class B), US$150 (Class C), US$250 (Class D).
• Dealer/export license: US$5,000; Broker license: US$500.
• Projected revenue: US$575,050 from gold licenses.

Other revenues include US$5,600 from scrap licenses and US$187,500 from additional permits covering exploration, reconnaissance, underground mining, prospecting, mine operations, groundwater borehole drilling, and more.

Big Picture

In total, the ministry projects US$3,249,975 annually under the new fee structure—a dramatic increase compared to the US$249,925 generated from 2010 to June 2025.

The MLME says the new structure is designed not only to maximize government revenue but also to ensure Liberians benefit from their natural resources. It also aims to attract and encourage investments in the sector by giving preference to Liberian-owned companies and businesses.