May 7, 2025– The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has begun releasing early findings from its ongoing Nationwide Environmental Compliance Monitoring and County Tour, revealing a disturbing pattern of illegal mining and environmental damage in several parts of the country.

In a preliminary report dated May 6, 2025, the EPA Situation Room outlined serious violations by Class B mining operators in Grand Kru, Lofa, and Rivercess Counties. These violations include mining without valid environmental permits, the illegal use of heavy equipment, deforestation, river diversion, and the pollution of water bodies used by local communities.

In Grand Kru County, the EPA field team reported major violations involving five companies. Scottment Investment Mining is operating in Philadelphia with excavators and has previously been fined by the EPA for similar violations in Gbarpolu County. MK Group is operating in Gbaken Town without an EPA permit and is reportedly polluting Dugbo Creek. Baby Girl Creek Mining in Dwehken is also unpermitted and is causing significant environmental degradation. GMGC Mining is running a large mining camp with no permit and clear signs of land and water pollution. Alex Fannoh Class B Mining in Mary Village is carrying out mining activities without any authorization from the EPA, adding to the list of unregulated operations.

In Lofa County, the Saur Mining Company was caught operating in Kilu Town, Zorzor District, without an environmental permit. An unidentified Chinese Class B company was also discovered conducting operations in Lesco Town with no verified permit status, raising further concern about foreign involvement in illegal mining.

Rivercess County has reported some of the most severe cases of environmental destruction. African Commodity Inc. and Plam Group of Companies were both found mining without permits and failing to comply with national environmental standards. Kplon Mining and Agriculture Cooperative in Sand Beach has diverted a river channel without EPA approval, causing serious land and water disturbance. Water samples collected from affected areas in Rivercess will undergo laboratory testing to determine the level of pollution and assess any health risks to nearby residents.

As part of its next steps, the EPA is flagging all companies involved for compliance investigation and will issue formal notices of violation under Section 83(c) of the Environmental Protection and Management Law. The EPA Central Office has also requested the rapid deployment of enforcement teams to assist field inspectors in holding violators accountable.

A national compliance alert will soon be issued to inform all Class B mining operators of immediate inspection schedules and the consequences of continued non-compliance.

The EPA is calling on all mining operators and local authorities to ensure strict adherence to environmental laws. The agency emphasized that environmental permitting is not optional and violations will lead to fines, permit suspensions, or legal action. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected unlicensed mining activities to the EPA Situation Room via hotline number +231 888 608 224.

The ongoing tour and monitoring efforts reflect the EPA’s commitment to protecting Liberia’s natural environment and ensuring that all operators comply with environmental laws to prevent further damage to land and water resources across the country.

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