MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s environmental authorities have intensified efforts to combat environmental destruction and illegal mining activities following decisive action against Green Forest Mining, a company accused of causing extensive environmental damage through unauthorized operations in Montserrado County.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered the immediate suspension of all mining operations linked to Green Forest Camps 1, 2, and 3 after inspectors reportedly uncovered severe environmental violations during a nationwide compliance monitoring exercise.
The action represents one of the strongest enforcement measures taken under the EPA’s ongoing campaign to strengthen environmental oversight and hold companies accountable for activities that threaten public health and natural ecosystems.
According to environmental authorities, EPA inspectors visited two operational camps belonging to Green Forest and documented what officials described as significant environmental degradation and pollution directly associated with the company’s activities.
As a result of the findings, the EPA issued three separate enforcement actions against the company. These included an immediate halt order for environmental pollution, a non-compliance notice for operating without the legally required environmental permit, and a complete shutdown order covering all activities associated with Green Forest’s operations.
The notices were formally delivered through the company’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chris Zanga.
Speaking on the matter, EPA Director of Environmental Research and Radiation Safety, Rafael Sarji Ngumbu, said the scale of destruction observed during the inspection raised serious concerns about environmental sustainability and community safety.
According to Director Ngumbu, the company’s activities have reportedly caused widespread environmental damage with potential consequences for nearby communities, public health systems, water resources, and surrounding ecosystems.
He further disclosed that Green Forest allegedly commenced and continued large-scale mining and exploitation activities without obtaining the mandatory Environmental Permit from the EPA, an action he described as a direct violation of Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law.
Authorities indicated that the alleged violations fall under Sections 56, 69, 90, and 109 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law, provisions that carry potential penalties ranging from financial sanctions to imprisonment for serious environmental offenses.
As part of the immediate enforcement measures, Green Forest has been instructed to cease all operational activities, including processing operations and the use of heavy machinery at the affected sites.
Beyond the shutdown order, the EPA has directed the company to begin environmental restoration and remediation work within seven working days. The company is also expected to submit a detailed remediation plan for review and monitoring by environmental authorities.
Officials additionally stated that Green Forest must undergo and fully comply with the EPA’s permitting process and satisfy all regulatory requirements before any future consideration of operational approval.
The latest enforcement action comes as the EPA continues its nationwide environmental monitoring campaign, which aims to strengthen regulatory compliance, reduce unsustainable mining practices, and protect Liberia’s natural resources from long-term degradation.
Environmental observers note that the action signals increasing pressure on mining operators across Liberia to prioritize environmental responsibility and comply with established legal standards designed to protect communities and preserve biodiversity.
