PHOTO: Col. Abraham Kromah addressing Journalists at the Information Ministry press conference
Preliminary information available to the Task Force indicates that approximately 485 excavators are operating in Grand Kru County in connection with alleged large-scale illicit mining activities– Col. Kromah further disclosed.
By Our Reporter
The Chairman of the National Taskforce to Combat Illicit Mining Activities, Abraham Kromah, says the government is intensifying efforts to address illegal mining and the growing presence of foreign nationals engaged in illicit mining activities across Liberia.
Speaking this week at the Information Ministry’s regular press conference, Col. Kromah said the taskforce has developed a roadmap to identify illegal mining operations, gather intelligence and strengthen enforcement measures aimed at protecting the country’s natural resources and communities.
According to him, the taskforce is currently working to identify and address the activities of hundreds of former miners and other individuals operating in mining communities without proper authorization.
He said some foreign nationals allegedly enter Liberia and move directly into the interior, where they negotiate with local communities and landowners, sometimes offering financial incentives in exchange for access to land.
The anti-illicit mining taskforce head warned that such arrangements could undermine Liberia’s mining regulations and deprive the government and local communities of legitimate benefits from the sector.
Kromah also expressed concern about the environmental impact of illegal mining, particularly the pollution of rivers and other water sources. He said some mining activities involve the use of sand dams and other practices that contribute to the contamination of water, posing risks to communities that depend on those sources.
The illicit mining taskforce chairman stressed the taskforce’s mandate is not only to combat illegal mining but also to ensure that mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects the environment and public safety.
Kromah described Liberia’s gold and diamond resources as a major national asset, but warned that illegal exploitation could result in significant losses to the Liberian economy.
He said the country is endowed with substantial mineral resources, yet weak enforcement and unauthorized mining have allowed individuals to exploit these resources outside the established regulatory framework.