Liberia moves illegal mining task force towards full-scale enforcement
The Protect Our Resources Taskforce is preparing for coordinated enforcement across Liberia’s mining sector as the government seeks to strengthen compliance, protect revenue and safeguard mineral resources
The issue of illegal mining can never be ignored because it remains a pandemic across Africa. Liberia, one of the countries faced with the challenge of illegal mining is moving closer to full-scale enforcement against such illicit activities. The government is preparing to operationalise a multi-agency task force tasked with strengthening regulatory compliance and protecting the country’s mineral resources.
The Protect Our Resources Taskforce (PORT) is being prepared for nationwide enforcement following the recent technical consultative meeting hosted by Liberia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Chaired by Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban, the meeting focused on translating PORT’s mandate into a coordinated operational structure ahead of full-scale enforcement activities across Liberia’s mining sector.
The task force was established under Executive Order 167 issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Its mandate includes combating illicit mining, strengthening regulatory compliance and protecting Liberia’s mineral resources.
According to Tingban, PORT will operate as a multi-agency enforcement mechanism bringing together relevant government institutions to strengthen inspections, intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring and enforcement.
During the meeting, PORT chairman Abraham Kromah outlined the responsibilities of the participating institutions and how the task force would coordinate its activities. The ministry said the operational framework places emphasis on information sharing, joint action and adherence to the respective mandates of member institutions.
Working together with the Ministry of Justice, Tingban will be responsible for investigating cases of non-compliance identified within the mining sector and ensuring that violations are addressed in accordance with Liberia’s laws and regulations.
The government says the task force will also be expected to identify and address illicit mining operations, strengthen compliance with mining regulations, protect government revenue and safeguard the environment.
This comes after the Ministry of Mines and Energy has recently reported a series of enforcement actions against alleged illicit mining operations in different parts of the country, including operations involving earth-moving equipment. Its recent announcements include enforcement actions in Grand Gedeh, Sinoe and Grand Kru.
