The Ministry of Mines & Energy Announces Moratorium on the Use of Heavy Earth Moving Equipment For Class C Mining Operations

Mining activities which are currently being carried out by Class C Mining License Holders and Class C Licensees that are using Heavy Earth Moving Equipment, including Mining Cooperatives operating under Class C licenses, continue to cause serious environmental problems to our landforms, water bodies and rural communities in which these activities are taking place.

Due to the severe environmental impacts associated with these operations and to effectively control the trade in mineral commodities from these mining operations, the Ministry of Mines & Energy hereby declares a nationwide moratorium on the use of heavy earth moving equipment by all Class C Mining license holders and Mining Cooperatives.

Note: Only valid Class B and Class A Mining license holders can use heavy earth moving equipment. All Mining Inspectors, County authorities and law enforcement officers are hereby encourage to enforce this moratorium accordingly!

This Moratorium takes immediate effect and is valid until otherwise lifted by the MINISTER.

Issued by: the MINISTER, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Republic of Liberia.

Issue Date: January 22, 2020

The Ministry of Mines and Energy Announces Measures to Curb Illicit Mining Activities and Reform the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) Sub-sector of Liberia

28 October 2019

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has commenced a rigorous exercise aimed at fixing and formalizing the Artisanal Small Scale Mining (ASM) sub-sector of Liberia. A road map has been developed which will require collect efforts of the local government, law enforcement authorities and private citizens.

Towards this end, the following decisions have been taken.

  1. With immediate effect, the use of dredges on all water bodies within our borders for mining of Gold and Diamonds is hereby banned
  2. A training program for mining agents and mineral inspectors has been approved and its now being rolled out
  3. The institution of a training in Smart Mining Techniques for local miners has commenced around the national parks and protected areas. This would be replicated across Liberia for the purpose of land reclamation
  4. A moratorium on the issuance of new Class C licenses will be instituted
  5. A ban on the use of mercury to recover gold will be robustly reinforced and violators will be severely prosecuted in keeping with law
  6. No field personnel from the Ministry of Mines and Energy should henceforth collect any fees whatsoever in the execution of their duties
  7. The Ministry in collaboration with the National Identification Registry (NIR) has begun the issuing ASM ID cards to all mining actors. We want to encourage each and every mining actor to obtain their ASM ID Card.

Therefore, we hereby advise all legitimate miners and citizens of the area where these activities are prevalent to report any case of such as violators will be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the Ministry, with support from the World Bank and FDA is implementing activities under the Liberia Forest Sector Project (LFSP). These activities have led to the formation of seven (7) mining cooperatives in Gbarpolu, Sinoe and Grand Gedeh Counties. These mining cooperatives have benefited from the Smart Mining Techniques (SMT).

Press Release