PRESS STATEMENT
Friday, August 8, 2025 - MONROVIA: The attention of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), has been drawn to the video recording of a press statement by “Steelford Mining Company” in which they called on the Government of Liberia to proceed to issue a mining license to them for iron ore tailings in Grand Bassa. The company claimed further that they had paid US$500,000.00 to the Grand Bassa County.
While the Ministry of Mines and Energy has absolutely nothing to do with whatever financial transactions or deal “Steeford Mining Company” might have entered into and/or struck with any individual or group and whatever the motivation might have been, the Ministry herewith clarifies that the granting and/or issuance of Mining Licenses for mineral rights are its sole prerogative as clearly vested in the Ministry of Mines and Energy by the Minerals and Mining Law of 2000, Exploration Regulations of 2010, Regulations on Heavy Mineral Sand (HMS), and all other legal instruments.
In other words, consistent with and pursuant to the foregoing, the Ministry exercises its statutory authority without fear, favor, pressure or blackmail. And as regards the Iron Ore Tailings in Grand Bassa County, there is an appeal pending before The Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia, the disposition of which the Ministry awaits. Under such understandable circumstances, no individual, company or group anywhere within the bailiwick of the Republic of Liberia has any authority, right or privilege to initiate and/or consummate any deal, howbeit financially appealing or enticing, in the name of the Iron Ore Tailings in Grand Bassa.
The Ministry therefore WARNS against any action, tendency, or conduct that seeks to interfere with and/or undermine the unhindered execution of its statutory duties and functions and therefore, urges “Steeling Mining Company” and all would-be interested investors to desist from acts that are totally incompatible with the Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia. The Ministry is the sole institution in the Republic of Liberia duly vested with the authority to issue Mining Licenses for mineral rights of all categories. It cannot, as yet, exercise this right while The Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia is yet to decide in the ongoing litigation between Notre Dame and the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The litigation surrounds the Iron Ore Tailings in question.
Accordingly, anyone consummating any deal and/or entering into any understanding or agreement in the name of the Iron Ore Tailings in Grand Bassa County will be viewed as facilitating activities that could be classified as contraband and will therefore be prosecuted in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Law of 2000.
MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY PUBLIC RELATIONS