By Domingo Dargbeh
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has issued a detailed clarification following a report by the Associated Press (AP) and the Gecko Project.
The report alleged environmental incidents involving Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMMC) in Jikandor and surrounding communities.
EPA said the incidents referenced occurred between 2016 and 2023, before the current EPA leadership took office in February, 2024, contrary to claims of weak oversight. The EPA confirms that all reported incidents were fully investigated, including: Field inspections and laboratory testing; public disclosure of findings; reports to affected communities and the Legislature and legally binding remedial directives to the company
Enforcement actions included: Provision of safe drinking water and food; independent third-party environmental assessments;
engineering corrections to the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF); enhanced water-quality monitoring; relocation of Jikandor Village under a legally agreed Memorandum of Understanding with compensation and legal representation.
EPA also disclosed that in 2018, BMMC was fined US$99,999 with US$25,000 paid following an appeal under the previous administration.
Since 2024, EPA has strengthened oversight through expanded inspector deployment to mining counties; mandatory independent TSF audits; international technical training, and a modern national environmental laboratory for real-time analysis
EPA confirms however that, it provided detailed responses to AP during the story’s development, but noted that the published report placed limited focus on regulatory actions taken.
“No company is above the law,” EPA said, reaffirming its commitment to firm, science-based environmental enforcement and responsible resource management.
The Agency thanked the media for their role in public accountability and encouraged balanced, factual, and contextual reporting on environmental matters of national importance.