Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingban, has escalated concerns over illegal mining by declaring the situation a national emergency and announcing the formation of a multi-agency task force to restore control over the sector.
The announcement followed a tense incident in Henry Town, Gbarpolu County, where the Minister confronted a group of Burkinabe miners operating at the AB Conteh Mining Company site on May 25, 2026. According to Tingban, some operators are using advanced washing equipment to accelerate mineral extraction in pursuit of high-value deposits, prompting urgent government intervention.
He stressed that the government will no longer tolerate unregulated mining practices and is demanding full transparency from operators. Companies will now be required to disclose the duration of their activities, the volume of materials extracted, and how recovered minerals are handled. The Ministry is introducing standardized reporting systems to ensure proper tracking and taxation.
Tingban revealed that significant quantities of gold—estimated at roughly 1.6 billion nanowatts—are leaving Liberia without proper documentation or revenue collection, depriving the country of critical income needed for development.
The Minister also condemned a reported attack on his inspection team, alleging that some foreign workers set up roadblocks and assaulted senior mining officials. He described the actions as unacceptable and warned that such behavior would not be tolerated.
In addition, he raised concerns about the apparent dominance of foreign workers at mining sites, questioning how non-Liberians are securing employment opportunities while many citizens remain jobless.
Describing the environmental and economic impact as severe, Tingban warned that illegal mining is degrading land, draining national resources, and undermining government revenue.
To address the crisis, the Ministry plans to deploy a joint task force comprising the Liberia National Police, Armed Forces of Liberia, Immigration Service, National Bureau of Concessions, Liberia Revenue Authority, and the Ministry of Justice. The team will focus on enforcement, monitoring mineral output, and ensuring compliance with tax and regulatory requirements.
As part of ongoing enforcement actions, authorities have already shut down a Liberian-backed operation involving Burkinabe miners in Henry Town and ordered the closure of another site linked to a Liberian-backed Chinese company near Gbeleta after workers abandoned the area.
Tingban emphasized that Liberia’s natural resources must directly benefit its citizens, warning that the government is prepared to take firm action against violators to protect national interests and promote sustainable development.
