CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – Representative Tibelrosa Summoh Tarponweh (District #1, Margibi County) has drawn the attention of the Plenary of the House of Representatives to an ongoing illegal heavy black sand mining in Marshall City by a Chinese company, Liberia Mineral Export Incorporated.
In his communication, Rep. Tarponweh said the colossal nature and velocity of the company’s operation is causing uncontrollable erosion and environmental hazard to the residents of the city.
The Margibi County District one Lawmaker asserted that, despite an active moratorium placed on the operation of the company by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the company is still operating in flagrant violation of said moratorium.
The moratorium, copy of which is in our possession and dated August 4, 2022, ordered the company to suspend its operation so as to “enable the Ministry review the processes involved in the licensing, mining, issuance of export permit and the valuation of the products without interference”.
“I am pressed to bring this issue before the people’s deputies. Liberia Mineral Export Incorporated, a Chinese company, is seriously mining heavy black sand on the shores of Marshall City, especially on the city limit,” he said.
“This is causing serious environmental hazard for our people. Following numerous complaints from my constituents, I engaged the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency about this situation. Despite the moratorium placed on the operation of this company, there is still 24-hour operation being carried out”, he added.
The operation of the company is not only illegal, but an act of injustice as to local Liberian companies that have been barred from operating.
“One company attempted doing that but was vehemently stopped. Our local sand miners are being stopped by law. Environmentally, it is not prudent. What we want is our people must be protected, irrespective of our individual financial interests. This company is operating illegally.”
Following the reading and deliberation of the Lawmaker’s communication, Rep. Ivar Jones (District #2, Margibi County) filed a motion to forward the communication to the committees on Mines, Energy & Environment and Judiciary to report in two weeks.
