Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shut down and seized the equipment of Scott Investment, a Liberian-Chinese mining company, due to alleged illegal operations. Co-owned by Gao Freng, the company is implicated in running an illicit mining network that has defrauded the government of over $29 million.
Additionally, the EPA has issued 7-day ultimatums to several other companies, including SOAUR Mining Company, which is fully Chinese-owned. These actions were taken during an ongoing nationwide tour, with the agency focusing on stopping operations rather than imposing fines. Scott Investment has committed serious environmental violations by operating two illegal mining sites in Billibo Town, Grand Gedeh, without the necessary permits. The EPA faces challenges in enforcing decisions against companies that violate environmental and mining laws due to limited funding, capacity, and a lack of local cooperation.
Unregulated mining in Liberia has significant environmental consequences, according to environmentalist Emmanuel T. T. Swen. Under his supervision, the government has shut down numerous mines in joint operations with the EPA.
The pollution of rivers by miners is a major concern for downstream communities that depend on these water sources for farming, drinking, and cooking.
Swen also highlights that local residents often act as accomplices to illegal miners, making enforcement nearly impossible when regulators arrive. If land is destroyed, it creates long-term issues for future generations.
The EPA is urging all mining companies to comply with permitting requirements and encourages citizens to report violations through its environmental hotlines.
