Due to its poor handling of environment and public safety concerns, the government on Thursday, May 15, revoked the operating permit of Bio-Chico Resources Liberia Limited, a Hong Kong-based mining company operating in Gbarpolu County.
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah, announced the government’s decision, approved by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, at a press briefing in Monrovia.
Piah said the permit revocation followed a high-level inter-ministerial meeting involving the ministries of Justice, Public Works, Mines and Energy, Transport, State and Information.
According to him, the decision was driven by mounting concerns from local communities regarding the company’s unsafe environmental practices and the safety risks posed by its operations.
Residents from District 17 in Montserrado County, as well as those from Bomi and Gbarpolu counties, have repeatedly expressed concerns over Bio-Chico’s misused of heavy-duty trucks on the already dilapidated roads.
Residents claimed that the situation has damaged roads, increased the risk of accidents and contributed to air and noise pollutions.
“The government has listened to the voices of its citizens, and has therefore revoked the company’s operating permit,” Mr. Piah told the house-filled journalists.
“Pres. Boakai remains committed to a governance agenda that prioritizes public safety, environmental protection and accountability.”
Piah further emphasized that the administration is determined to ensure that no entity, whether foreign or domestic, operates in a manner that compromises the dignity and well-being of the Liberian people.
The revocation of Bio-Chico’s permit marks one of the first significant enforcement actions under the Boakai administration, signaling a firm stance on corporate responsibility and sustainable resource management.
Meanwhile, Piah has extended his gratitude to the communities that raised their concerns, highlighting the critical role of civic engagement in strengthening democratic governance.
With this action, the government has sent a clear message that it will prioritize the welfare of its citizens over corporate interests, setting a precedent for stricter oversight of the mining sector.