Grand Kru County Development Officer, Joe Sekpeh, has expressed his concern over the surge of ‘unregulated’ mining activities in the Dougbo Community.
The Dougbo Community, located along the 75-kilometer road from Barclayville to Pleebo, is said to have an increment in illegal trade of mining in its vicinity.
Sekpeh said these ‘uncontrolled’ mining operations extend throughout the county and beyond, posing challenges in managing illegal mining.
He said the county lacks sufficient security personnel to effectively monitor and regulate the illegal trade.
Sekpeh attributed the unauthorized entrance of mining operators into the region to “weaknesses to the part of government.”
He said mining activities in the Dougbo Community have escalated, with a second pit entering the community itself, thereby demanding immediate attention from authorities.
Sekpeh meanwhile, called for decisive action against those violating the mining regulations.
He highlighted the serious repercussions of such illicit mining.
Henceforth, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), has with immediate effect, issued a closure order, halting all mining operations in Dougbo City, Grand Kru County.
The Ministry’s order came after a compliance team dispatched to the area confirmed massive illicit mining activities in the middle of the city.
The latest closure order in Duogbo City, marks the second time the Ministry has taken such action, after the previous one issued early this year was ignored.
MME’s action is to protect the environment, ensure full adherence to the minerals and mining law, and the exploration regulations, and hold unscrupulous individuals fully accountable for wanton acts of violations punishable by law.