APRIL 18, 2025-MONROVIA: The Ministry of Mines and Energy, in collaboration with state security agencies, has arrested five (5) Chinese nationals for their involvement in illicit mining activities in Cheo Town, Rivercess County. The suspects were received by the Deputy Minister for Operations, William Hines, for turnover to the Justice Ministry to be prosecuted for violating the Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia.
Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye said, this is a routine compliance enforcement exercise fully funded by the Government of Liberia.
The Minister further Stated that similar exercise conducted in 2024 led to the arrest and indictment of illicit miners, who later admitted to wrongdoing and requested for an out-of-court settlement to pay hundreds of thousands of United States Dollars.
The Chinese illicit miners were spotted on a mining site belonging to Class ‘B’ Mining Company – Devaco, but were seen in possession of identification cards of Hongtu Mining Company; another Class ‘B’ License holder. A compliance team from the Ministry of Mines and Energy carrying out enforcement operations in the Southeastern region, has also discovered that Devaco Mining Company which has defaulted on payment for renewal of its license from 2022 – 2024, carried out a unilateral transfer of its license to the Hongtu Mining Company.
The Ministry has issued a closure order on the company’s operations in Rivercess, while its mining equipment including a complete set of washing plant, and an excavator, among others, have been confiscated. The Mines and Energy Ministry is continuing the compliance assessment activities in other parts of the Southeastern region to ensure miners adhere to the Minerals and Mining Law and Regulations. The Deputy Inspector-General for Mines, Adolphus Gleekia, is heading the technical assessment team, comprising Mining Engineers Jerry Zaza, and Mambu Sonii.