Inter-Governmental Approach Needed To Address Mining Issues: Minister Paye Tells Senate

Monrovia, March 4, 2025-The Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, has told the Liberian Senate that there is a need for a concerted national effort to address mining issues in the Country.

Minister Paye made the disclosure when appeared before the Senate Committee on Mines, Energy, and Natural Resources, to respond to the use of chemicals in mining procedures, which the senate committee says has had incidents of spillage in some mining operational areas in the Country. Alongside Minister Paye were his deputy minister for Operations, William Hines, and the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo.

Minister Paye informed the Senate’s natural resources Committee that whilst some level of progress is being made in ensuring proper monitoring in line with the ministry’s responsibility, constraints are being experienced due to limited funds to have the Ministry’s presence in every mining location with trained and competent sector professionals.

Paramount among the Senators’ concerns were maximizing inspection of mining operations to ensure adherence to the Mining Law and Regulations by License holders in all categories of mining.

They were seeking answers from the mines’ minister in order to be able to profile illegal miners and stop their activities they believe are polluting water bodies due to the use of mercury; a dangerous insoluble substance. The committee is also concerned about the impacts underground mining could leave behind after such mining operations come to a close.

Minister Paye, and Deputy Minister Hines informed the Senate Committee that the operations of industrial mining companies are being properly assessed by the current administration of the Ministry, and findings will be adequately addressed.

On that, the Minister said, a holistic national decision-making is key to charting a new course because these companies are operating with existing Mineral Development Agreements (MDAs) which have terms and conditions that were legislated.

The Mines and Energy Minister gave the assurance that frantic efforts are being made to prevail on reforms crucially needed to make the mineral sector beneficial to the Country through revenue generation.

He told the committee that the President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., is deeply concerned about improving the mining sector in support of economic growth and national development following a direction question as to whether cabinet meetings are elevating issues of mining in the country.

The Senate’s Natural Resources Committee is headed by Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Simeon Taylor. Other members of the committee include, Senator Boto Kanneh of Gbarpolu County, Senator Thomas Nimley Yaya of Grand Gedeh, Senator Dabbah M. Varpilah of Grand Cape Mount, and Senator Gbleh-bo Brown of Maryland County.