MINISTER R. MATENOKAY TINGBAN: WELCOME REMARKS AT OPENING CEREMONIES OF LIMEC 2026
October 28, 2026 | Farmington Hotel, Margibi County
Theme: “Transforming Liberia’s Economy: Driving Development Through Sustainable Mining and Energy Investments.”
His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia; Member of the cabinet; Chief Justics and Associate Justices of the suprime court; Speaker, Senate Pro-Tempero;
All officials of Government;
Distinguished Ministers and Representatives of friendly governments;
Members of the diplomatic corps and development community;
Industry leaders, investors, and development partners;
Representatives of mining and energy companies;
African & Sub-regional Bodies;
Traditional leaders and representatives of mining-affected communities;
Members of the private sector, civil society, and the press;
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
On behalf of the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, it is my distinct honor to welcome you to Liberia’s Second International Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition 2026.
We are honored by the presence of His Excellency the President, our international guests, investors, development partners, technical experts, and representatives of mining communities from across Liberia. Your presence here reflects a shared belief that Liberia’s rich mineral resources and vast energy potential can become powerful engines of our nation’s transformation, unlock lasting economic opportunities, and build a brighter future for our people.
This conference is convened under the theme, “Transforming Liberia’s Economy: Driving Development Through Sustainable Mining and Energy Investments.” This theme is more than a statement of ambition; it is a call to action. Liberia must not measure the value of its natural resources only by what we extract and export to increase public revenue, but also by the jobs we create, the industries we build, and the lives we improve through strengthened local businesses, while protecting our communities and the environment.
Our resources must generate greater public revenue, expand opportunities for Liberian businesses, empower our young people, and strengthen the communities that host these investments.
At the same time, we must protect our environment and ensure that economic progress does not come at the expense of future generations. We must also expand access to reliable and affordable energy, because processing, manufacturing and modern mining cannot grow without dependable power.
The Government's direction is clear: we must move beyond exporting of unprocessed materials toward greater domestic processing, value addition, and industrial development. We welcome responsible investment, but investment must deliver tangible benefits to Liberia development and its people. It must operate under predictable laws, transparent licensing and fair fiscal arrangements.
It must respect community rights, provide opportunities for Liberian workers and suppliers, and make adequate provision for environmental restoration and responsible mine closure.
Gold Refinery Initiative. A major step in this direction is the Government's initiative to establish a gold refinery in Liberia. The Ministry is advancing a transparent process to attract technically capable and financially credible partners who can develop a commercially viable refinery that meets recognized standards for responsible sourcing, assaying, refining and certification.
A domestic gold refinery presents Liberia an opportunity to retain more value within our economy, strengthen oversight of the gold trade, improve traceability and revenue collection, and create skilled employment. It can also provide licensed miners, brokers and dealers with a credible domestic market.
The refinery must therefore be supported by reliable energy, sound environmental management, strong anti-money-laundering controls and a traceable supply chain that incorporate the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. We therefore invite qualified investors and technical partners to work with the Government through the established process and to present solutions grounded in Liberia's production realities and regional market opportunities.
National Minerals Company. The Government is also advancing the establishment of the National Minerals and Mining Company of Liberia as a strategic vehicle for responsible State participation in the mineral sector. Subject to the required legal and institutional approvals, the company will pursue commercially viable exploration, mining, processing and value-addition opportunities, including partnerships with qualified domestic and international investors.
Its operations will be guided by professional management, transparent financial reporting and strong corporate governance, with a clear separation of commercial activity and the Ministry’s regulatory responsibilities.
Our objective is to ensure that Liberia participates more effectively in the development of its mineral wealth while expanding opportunities for Liberian workers and businesses.
Our natural resources belong to Liberia. Our responsibility is to ensure that their development creates lasting value for Liberia and meaningful opportunities for Liberians.
Launch of the ASM Formalization Initiative. This conference also marks the launched of Liberia's Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Formalization Initiative.
Artisanal and small-scale miners support thousands of households and contribute to local economies. Yet many miners continue to operate outside the formal systems that could improve their safety, protect their rights, and connect their production to legitimate markets. Our approach must be practical, inclusive, and focused on results.
The initiative will promote accessible licensing and registration, the organization of miners into cooperatives and other lawful structures, training in occupational safety and environmental protection, improved geological and production information, access to appropriate equipment and financing, and full participation in mineral traceability systems. It will pay particular attention to women, young people and mining communities that depend on the sector for their livelihoods.
We must not see artisanal miners only as people to regulate. We must also see them as citizens who livelihoods can be strengthened through opportunity, skills, safer working conditions, and access to legitimate markets.
Formalization must make a real difference in people's lives. It must support lawful production, protect the environment, improve livelihoods, and enable the State to collect the revenues needed to provide public services.
It will also help establish the responsible and traceable supply base needed to support a future domestic gold refinery. The Ministry will advance this initiative in collaboration with county authorities, miners’ organizations, traditional leaders, communities, regulatory institutions, development partners, and responsible buyers.
Critical Minerals and AMSG Cooperation. Liberia is also positioning itself to participate responsibly in Africa's growing critical-minerals economy. Our first task is to improve geological knowledge and establish reliable data on the minerals within our territory.
Our position is clear: no data, no deal. We must know what resources we have before negotiating how they are developed. With this knowledge, we can pursue investment opportunities that respect Liberia's sovereignty, protect communities, and create economic benefits beyond the mine site.
The Africa Minerals Strategy Group provides an important platform for African governments to cooperate on critical-minerals policy, geological information, technology, financing, value addition and responsible supply chains. Liberia will deepen its engagement with AMSG to advance bankable projects, strengthen institutional capacity and identify regional value chains in which African countries contribute according to their comparative strengths.
Continental cooperation should support common standards, strengthen their negotiating positions, and capture greater value from their resources while respecting each nation’s sovereignty.
Africa must not remain merely a source of the minerals that power the world’s industries. We must also build the skills, industries, partnerships, and capacity to capture a greater share of the value those minerals create.
For Liberia, this means our critical minerals agenda will focus on responsible exploration, transparent licensing, the protection of our national geological data, ensure technology transfer, skills development, and stronger local economic participation. Therefore, we are seeking partnerships to help train Liberians, facilitate skills and technology transfer, support infrastructure development, and retain more economic value in Africa.
We also recognize that critical-mineral development must be accompanied by environmental safeguards, community participation and clear plans for land restoration and post-mining transition.
Energy as a Foundation for Transformation.
Your Excellency, Mr. President;
Distinguished Guests;
There can be no meaningful industrial transformation without reliable and affordable energy. Refineries, processing plant and industrial corridor, all depend on dependable electricity to operate efficiently, remain competitive, and drive economic growth.
Liberia is therefore seeking investment in generation, transmission and distribution, including hydropower, solar energy, storage systems, mini-grids and other solutions suited to our national needs. We welcome public-private partnerships and development finance that can provide power to industry while expanding access for households, businesses and rural communities.
A Call to Action
Your Excellency, Mr. President;
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Over these two days, I encourage all participants to move beyond general expressions of interest and toward practical commitments. Let us identify specific projects, the policy actions required to advance them, the institutions responsible for implementation and realistic timelines for action. Let us build partnerships that are transparent, commercially sound, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to Liberia and its people.
The success of this conference will not be measured by the number of speeches delivered or agreements announced, but by the investments realized, the jobs created, the industries established, and the improvements in the lives of our people after we leave this hall.
I extend sincere appreciation to the Liberia Chamber of Mines, AME Trade Ltd, our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, organizing partners and technical teams for their contributions to this conference. I also recognize the mining-affected communities that host these investments. Their voices, experiences and aspirations must remain central to our policies and investment decisions.
To our international guests and potential investors, welcome to Liberia. We invite you to explore our opportunities and experience our hospitality, engage with our institutions and build lasting partnerships that position Liberia as a destination for responsible, sustainable and long-term investment. Liberia is prepared to work with serious partners who respect our laws, value our people, protect our environment and share our commitment to sustainable development.
Conclusion
Your Excellency, Mr. President, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, the opportunity before us is significant, and our responsibility is equally great. Liberia has the mineral resources, the potential to expand its energy sector, and a people eager for opportunity. What we must do now is turn these advantages into tangible results.
Let us build a mining sector that creates value beyond the mine site. Let us develop an energy sector that powers industries and expands opportunities. Above all, let us ensure that our natural resources improve the livelihoods of our people and secure a better future for generations to come.
Let this be the generation that turns Liberia’s natural wealth into lasting national progress. Let this be the moment when responsible investment creates real opportunities, our resources generate greater value at home, and economic growth delivers meaningful benefits to our people.
Let us leave this conference not merely with words and intentions, but with clear commitments, stronger partnerships, and a shared determination to deliver results.
Together, let us transform Liberia’s mineral and energy wealth into lasting opportunities for our people and a stronger future for our nation.
I wish you all productive discussions and a pleasant stay in Liberia. May this conference strengthen the partnerships and cooperation needed to turn our shared ambitions into tangible results.
I thank you.