Monrovia – Several issues involving Bear Mountain Mining Corporation are addressed in this consolidated report for clarity. They include the EPA’s area study and preventive relocation advisory for a vulnerable downstream community, the Mangor Creek pollution and fish death incident, as well as a compliance audit and the unauthorized sale of mining materials in the Lofa River.
By: Joseph K Doryea, contributing writer
EPA Study and Preventive Relocation
Before addressing the recent fish death incident, it is important to highlight an earlier intervention by the Environmental Protection Agency that helped prevent a potential environmental and humanitarian crisis.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, noted that during the current administration’s tenure, the EPA conducted a study assessing downstream vulnerability in the Chicano area. Based on scientific findings, the agency advised that the Jikanda community be relocated due to its exposure to environmental risks associated with nearby mining activities.
That recommendation was implemented. Residents of Jikanda were compensated and successfully relocated, and the settlement was subsequently demolished. As a result, at the time of the later pollution incident, no residents remained in the affected area.
This is a critical point. The population that would have been directly exposed to the contamination was no longer present. The earlier intervention significantly reduced the risk of a major public health emergency.
This example underscores the importance of environmental studies, risk mapping, vulnerability assessments, and proactive regulatory action. Effective environmental protection is not only about responding after damage occurs, but also about preventing harm before it reaches communities. Science-based decision-making remains essential in safeguarding lives and ecosystems.
Mangor Creek Pollution and Fish Death Incident
The EPA now provides an update on the pollution incident at Mangor Creek in Grand Cape Mount County. The incident, which resulted in the mass death of fish and other aquatic organisms, was reported to the EPA by Bear Mountain Mining Company on February 24, 2026.
Upon notification, the EPA immediately initiated scientific and regulatory investigations. Following field assessments, laboratory analysis, and joint verification exercises with relevant national institutions, the agency confirmed that the immediate cause of the aquatic mortality was elevated concentrations of a toxic substance identified as saprometrine.
Saprometrine is a highly toxic chemical commonly used as a pesticide in agriculture. Even at low concentrations, it poses serious risks to aquatic ecosystems, which are particularly sensitive to chemical contamination.
Although saprometrine is not listed among the chemicals declared by BMMC for its mining operations, EPA investigations traced the source of contamination to water systems connected to operational zones within the BMMC concession area zones that fall under the company’s control and security responsibility.
Further details regarding compliance measures, accountability, and enforcement actions are expected as the investigation continues.
