Mines & Energy Warns Against Illegal Mining Practices

The Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingban, has warned against illegal mining practices in Liberia; thereby announcing a series of new measures aimed at strengthening governance in the country’s mining sector.

The warning made at a meeting, intends to improve compliance with mining laws, protecting the environment, and enhancing service delivery within the Ministry.

 Minister Tingban revealed that the renewal of mining licenses will now be tied to miners’ compliance with land reclamation requirements.

 He stressed that mining companies and individuals must restore mining sites by filling large pits and holes created during extraction activities before their licenses can be renewed.

According to him, the policy is intended to ensure adherence to Liberia’s Minerals and Mining Law and environmental regulations.

He noted that proper land reclamation is essential for restoring degraded areas and enabling affected communities to resume agricultural activities after mining operations have ended.

Minister Tingban strongly warned mining agents operating across Liberia, emphasizing that government officials who fail to address persistent violations within their assigned districts will face disciplinary action.

He specifically cited the unauthorized use of heavy machinery and the continued use of mercury, a hazardous chemical commonly associated with environmental and health risks.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry has already begun enforcing its new accountability measures, revealing that a mining agent assigned to River Cess County has been recalled for investigation over concerns related to mining sector violations in the area.

As part of broader institutional reforms, Minister Tingban disclosed plans to strengthen the Ministry’s Customer Service Section.

He said the initiative is intended to improve public engagement, increase responsiveness to stakeholders, and ensure more efficient delivery of services throughout the mining sector.

The Mines and Energy Minister also addressed concerns surrounding delays in the processing of mining licenses.

 He urged employees of the Ministry to eliminate unnecessary administrative bottlenecks, particularly in the issuance of Class “C” licenses, which support artisanal and small-scale miners and provide livelihoods for thousands of Liberians.

Calling for greater professionalism among staff, Tingban emphasized that timely and efficient service delivery is critical to advancing the Ministry’s mandate and supporting economic activities linked to the mining industry.

The Minister further commended members of the Ministry’s Senior Management Team for their efforts to improve employee welfare.

He praised management for securing salary top-ups and introducing additional welfare benefits designed to boost staff motivation and increase productivity.

According to him, a motivated workforce is essential to achieving the Ministry’s objectives and ensuring effective oversight of Liberia’s growing mining sector.

 He encouraged employees to remain committed to serving the interests of the Liberian people.

The meeting concluded with presentations highlighting the Ministry’s administrative and operational activities.

 Minister Tingban reiterated that the mining sector remains one of Liberia’s most important sources of national revenue and stressed the need for stronger accountability, responsible mining practices, and improved institutional efficiency to support the country’s development agenda.