By: J. Mason Kollie |Lofa Correspondent
Kilewu Town, Zorzor District |Feb. 7, 2026| The Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the office of the Zorzor District Commissioner have shutdown the mining operations of the Upper and Lower Northern Mining Company in operating in Zorzor District.
The move to halt the mining operation of the company is due to multiple media reports of environmental pollution and noncompliance. The most affected community is Kilewu Town and adjacent settlements.
The EPA and Commissioner Paul R. Kalama said they took the action against the company after reports of noncompliance and pollution of water sources in Kilewu town and its neighboring communities, where it has been operating since 2025.
On January 21, 2026, this platform reported on pollution and noncompliance by the Upper and Lower Northern Mining Company in Kilewu Town, Zorzor District.
Following the report, local leaders visited the company operation site and urged them to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and mitigate environmental pollution, a call the company did not adhere to.
The visit was made on January 3, 2026, at which time a meeting was held with the company and community members. Those presence were: Zorzor District Commissioner, Paul R. Kalama, Zorzor City Mayor, community representatives, the EPA Supervisor, and local officials of the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
During the meeting, residents of Kilewu Town called for a temporary halt to the company’s operations until pollution issues are adequately addressed and safe drinking water is provided. They emphasized the need for the mining company to construct hand pumps to ensure access to clean water for household use; urging compliance with the terms of the MOU.
Further, the communities expressed deep concern for the safety of their children, as the company has left several open pits from its mining operations, creating hazardous conditions as regard movement within and around Kilewu Town and parts adjacent.
Accordingly, the people of Kilewu alled on local authorities and the Liberian government to take immediate action to safeguard both their health and environment by ensuring the mining company operates comply with the MOU and mitigate the effects of environmental pollution.
On Thursday February 5, 2026, Commissioner Paul Kalama confirmed that all mining activities have been halted until the company meets all legal requirements enshrined in the MOU.
The obligations, the Commissioner said, include hand pumps, guest house, renovation of schools and road rehabilitation. “Even 35% of the above mentioned is yet to be implemented”, said Commissioner Kalama.
The Commissioner said “Until the needful things are done by the mining company, we asked them to stop the mining activities and they have stopped for the time being,”
