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ADNrw- Grand,Gedeh: In a joint operation involving the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), two foreign nationals have been arrested for engaging in illicit mining activities in Tuzohn, Grand Gedeh County.
The suspects—Jack Chen, a Chinese national, and Obed Burikoney, a Ghanaian commonly known as “Kwemie”—were apprehended by the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s Compliance Enforcement Team. The duo was caught operating semi-mechanized mining equipment, including excavators, under a Class ‘C’ Mining License. Authorities stated that such operations violate the Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia, especially in terms of environmental protection and procedural compliance.
Both men have been transferred to the Liberia National Police detachment in Greenville City, Sinoe County, where they are undergoing preliminary investigation. They are expected to be brought before the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s investigative board before being turned over to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.
In a separate operation, the compliance team also visited the Heavy Mineral Sand (HMS) processing site of Atlantic Mineral Company in the Morgan Community, Greenville, Sinoe County. Investigators reported that the company is operating without a valid Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is required to outline benefits to the host communities.
Furthermore, the team discovered that the company employs Vietnamese nationals who are working without proper immigration documentation. Despite having three HMS processing plants equipped with multiple cyclones, the company reportedly offers no community assistance or development support.
Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to regulating the mining sector. He emphasized that the ongoing enforcement actions are part of a broader effort to eliminate illegal operations, prevent environmental damage, and ensure the mining sector contributes to national development through proper revenue generation.
“Unscrupulous individuals cannot be allowed to exploit our natural resources at the expense of our communities and the environment,” Minister Paye said. “We are determined to clean up the sector.”
Further updates are expected as the Ministry continues its field operations in the southeastern region.
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