APRIL 29, 2025-MONROVIA: In continuation of the clampdown on all acts of illicit and illegal mining in Liberia, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, through collaboration from the Liberia National Police, has arrested two Chinese, and a Liberian, for their involvement in illicit mining in Nehn Town, Todee District, Montserrado County.
Early Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Ministry (MME), dispatched its compliance enforcement team to the town, having received a tip-off about illicit mining activities taking place there, being perpetrated by Chinese nationals. The team caught the Chinese illicit miners red-handed, carrying out semi-mechanized mining operations on a Class ‘C’ mining claim; a license category set aside for Liberians only, in order to promote citizens’ participation in the mineral sector through artisanal and small-scale mining methods.
The MME compliance team also discovered that the Chinese have illegally set up a mini laboratory in which they do testing of samples gathered from concentrates on the Class ‘C’ mining claim in Nehn Town, and that, in the same area, the illicit Chinese miners are constructing a mineral processing facility without authorization and approval from the Mines and Energy Ministry. The team confiscated one Bulldozer, several contraband mining equipment, and a Toyota Hilux pickup in addition to shutting down their activities.
Receiving the suspects, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, sent out a clarion call to all holders of mining licenses that his administration will not condone any act not in conformity with the Law. Minister Paye said his team of administrators remain committed to ensuring that all provisions of the Minerals and Mining Law are scrupulously implemented. He cautioned would-be violators that the full weight of the law awaits those who will choose to willfully violate lawful processes and procedures for mining minerals in Liberia.
Deputy Inspector-General, Adolphus Gleekia, headed the compliance enforcement team to Youth Camp. The team also included Senior Inspectors, Jerry Zaza, and Prince Mambu, along with some officers of the Liberia National Police. According to Team-lead Adolphus Gleekia, a substance believed to be a ‘dangerous chemical’ was spotted among the confiscated contraband items, which he says will be analyzed with technical assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine its composition.
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