Court To Determine Who Has Right to Mine At Newaken Gold Site
By Emmanuel Koffa
NEWAKEN, Grand Kru County – The question of who has the legal right to conduct mining activities at a gold-rich site in Newaken Community, Trehn Statutory District in this southeastern County, is now before the Worktaken Magisterial Court as competing claims over the area continue to fuel a dispute.
The case involves the Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Hongyun Mining Company Inc., with the cooperative alleging that mining activities are being conducted on claims belonging to its members without authorization.
The matter is expected to come before the court on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
A team of reporters visiting the disputed location on July 20 and 21 reportedly observed three excavators, one front-end loader, and other heavy-duty equipment at the site.
One excavator was reportedly seen operating during the visit. Reporters also observed extensive land clearing and large quantities of gravel stockpiled at the location.
The observations have raised questions about whether mining operations should continue while the legal dispute remains unresolved.
Complaint Filed Against Mining Company
Court records reviewed by reporters indicate that the Worktaken Magisterial Court issued a Writ of Arrest on July 7, 2026, following a complaint filed by the Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society against Hongyun Mining Company Inc. and several individuals.
The complaint alleges criminal trespass, theft of property, and disorderly conduct.
The cooperative claims that the defendants entered mining claims belonging to its members and carried out mining activities without authorization.
Hongyun Mining Company Field Manager Emmanuel Gbaglow later requested a postponement of the hearing, according to court documents. The request reportedly cited the unavailability of the company’s lawyer due to a prior engagement.
The hearing was subsequently scheduled for July 22.
Cooperative Wants Mining Halted
The Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society is calling for all mining activities at the disputed location to be suspended until the court determines the rightful parties entitled to operate at the site.
Cooperative President Elton Macarthy Wiah said the group decided to take the matter to court in an effort to prevent confrontation.
“We went to court because we want peace, but the refusal to stop working can create more problems,” Wiah said.
Wiah maintained that mining should not continue while the ownership and authorization issues remain before the court.
«“Nobody should be mining here until the issue is resolved,” he added.»
Despite the disagreement, the situation remained calm during the reporters’ visit, with no violence reported.
Mining Company Yet to Respond
FrontPage Africa newspaper visited the Hongyun Mining Company office in Newaken to seek the company’s response to the allegations and the reported mining activities.
Field Manager Emmanuel Gbaglow declined to comment immediately, saying the company would respond through the media at a later date.
The company had not provided its detailed position before publication.
Earlier Community Letter
A letter dated October 27, 2025, signed by Newaken Clan Chief Hon. Michael W. Saikay, indicates that the Newaken Community had agreed to grant one Class “C” mining claim on Gbanwin Creek to Mrs. Eliza N. Dioh, who is believed to be associated with the Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
The letter advised that the claim should be properly documented through the Ministry of Mines and Energy to prevent illegal mining activities and future disputes.
Additional documents reviewed by reporters indicate that the Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society is a Liberian-owned cooperative with 23 members, most of whom reportedly hold Class “C” mining licenses.
Ministry Yet to Clarify Mining Rights
Efforts by FrontPage Africa to obtain comments from the Ministry of Mines and Energy regarding the competing claims and the status of mining activities at the site were unsuccessful before publication.
The ministry’s response could help clarify whether the parties involved possess valid authorization to conduct mining activities in the disputed area.
For now, the central issue remains before the court: Who has the legal right to mine at the contested Newaken gold site?
The July 22 hearing is expected to provide further clarity as the court considers the competing claims and the allegations surrounding activities at the site.