Gbarpolu County – The Ministry of Mines and Energy has launched a nationwide inspection campaign aimed at curbing illegal mining activities across Liberia.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh, [email protected]
The exercise began in Gbarpolu County, one of Liberia’s gold-rich regions that has witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities involving Liberians, Chinese nationals, Burkinabè nationals, and other foreign miners.
A high-level delegation headed by Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban arrived in Bopolu City late Sunday evening and held a brief meeting with Gbarpolu County Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah.
Superintendent Zinnah praised Minister Tingban for personally leading the inspection exercise and pledged the county administration’s support.
“The issue of illegal mining is a social problem. We all need to work together to curtail such acts,” Superintendent Zinnah said.
Following the meeting, the inspection team traveled overnight to Henry’s Town in Korninga Chiefdom. Backed by personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP), the team raided the AB Conteh Mining Site and arrested several individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining activities.
Authorities disclosed that AB Conteh Mining Company possesses a valid Class B license, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit, and a mining license issued by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
However, inspectors discovered 20 Liberians and 41 Burkinabè nationals working at the site, while the company reportedly failed to provide work permits for the foreign workers.
Workers at the AB Conteh mining site allegedly obstructed the inspection operation on the night of May 24, 2026, by erecting roadblocks to prevent arrests. The situation was later brought under control by AFL soldiers and LNP officers.
Addressing miners at the site the following morning, Minister Tingban emphasized that the government intends to establish full oversight over mining activities across Liberia.
“My team and I are in the field to ensure that we establish proper control over mining activities in the country,” Minister Tingban stated.
The Minister clarified that the inspection exercise was not intended to provoke violence.
“We did not come to institute violence against anybody. AB Conteh Mining Company has a Class B license, an EPA permit, and a mining license from the Ministry of Mines and Energy. However, having these documents does not mean you should operate outside the law. The documents are intended to keep you within the confines of the law,” he added.
Minister Tingban further disclosed that many Class B license holders fail to account for minerals extracted from their operations.
“It is one of their obligations to ensure that the government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, knows the quantity of minerals recovered from here, how they are disposed of, and how they are sold. If we do not know and the minerals are taken out illegally, it becomes an economic crime,” he said.
The Minister also condemned the alleged attacks against inspectors and the erection of roadblocks during the operation.
“The team came here yesterday and requested documents, which you provided. But when they asked for records of mineral recovery since you have been digging with these massive excavators, some of you became angry, attacked the team, and set up roadblocks,” he said.
Minister Tingban also criticized the conduct of some foreign miners.
“Most of you here are Burkinabè nationals. Is this how you operate in Burkina Faso? You set up roadblocks and engage in violence,” he added.
During the inspection exercise, officials also visited JM Mining Incorporated, a Chinese exploration company, where several Chinese nationals reportedly hid from inspectors before later appearing before authorities.
Initially, nine Chinese nationals could not be located at the site. However, inspectors and security personnel later brought them before Minister Tingban.
Assistant Minister for Mines Sumo Momolu, speaking through an interpreter, informed the Chinese nationals that the Ministry was conducting a compliance inspection and criticized their decision to hide from authorities.
“We are going to formally invite you to the Ministry to respond to some of our observations,” Momolu said.
Assistant Minister for Mineral Exploration Samuel J. Summerville also expressed disappointment in some Liberians for allegedly assisting foreign nationals in evading inspectors.
“This is not exploration; this appears to be preparation for mining. We are sending you a letter. Come with your geologists and your work plan. We want equity, not just royalties,” Summerville stated.
Minister Tingban warned that the Ministry would intensify monitoring activities and investigate possible violations at JM Mining Incorporated.
“There has been a breach of trust by JM Mining workers for hiding from inspectors. Besides, if you are beginning with exploration, you should have a clear work plan. We need to know how many samples you have collected,” the Minister said.
He added: “You will see us more often. We will not wait for violations before intervening. I hope you all understand that exploration is not mining.”
The Minister cautioned that the Ministry would shut down the company if investigations reveal violations.
“Excavators and trucks are not supposed to be on exploration sites; they belong on mining sites only. I hope you are not conducting mining operations because many people obtain exploration licenses and then begin Class B mining illegally. We are seeing fresh excavation roads, and I hope they are not leading to mining sites,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chinese nationals at the JM mining site denied claims that they fled from inspectors, insisting they were asleep when authorities arrived.
“Sorry, nobody ran. We had locked the doors and were sleeping. If we had known people were coming, we would have stayed outside. After eating, we simply went inside to sleep,” the workers stated.
