MME Lifts MELEKE Sand Mining Closure Order, Corporation, Community’s Leadership Urged To Resolve Differences

By Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay

MONROVIA, Jan 7, 2024- The Ministry of Mines and Energy has lifted the Closure Order issued December 29, 2024, authorizing a halt to sand mining activities by the MELEKE Sand Mining Corporation which operates in the Caldwell, Water Street community in Montserrado County. 

The closure order followed a conplain to the Mines and Energy Ministry  by Mohammed Alieu Jalloh, a resident of  Caldwell against MELEKE Sand Mining Corporation for illegally operating mining activities on his private property (land).

In an interview Monday, January 6, 2025,  Mines Inspector-General Agatius Coker says, lifting the closure of MELEKE’s operations was based on consensus reached during an intervention meeting held at the Ministry between leaders of the Caldwell Water Street Community, Complainant Mohammed Alieu Jalloh, and Alvin Karseeh, General Manager of MELEKE Sand Mining Corporation.

The meeting according to IG Coker looked into the complainant’s concern of sand mining activities closer to his property along the river banks which he feared losing.

The MELEKE sand mining corporation has been further instructed by  the Ministry to ensure that the company  and community residents fully resolve all agreements reached during the mediation and allow  peaceful co-existence.

The Mines and Energy Inspector-General believes this can only be achieved by MELEKE Sand Mining Corporation fully complying with all regulations governing hygiene, occupational safety, and environmental protection within their mining area.

The Ministry also instructed  General Manager Alvin Karseeh of MELEKE Sand Mining to ensure  moving forward, the corporation’s operations are in compliance with the Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia [2000], and other applicable Laws and Regulations of Liberia.

Between October and December of 2023, the Ministry of Mines and Energy has placed closure order on several sand and mineral mining companies operations for Noncompliance including MELEKE, a step that set the stage in maintaining strict adherence and compliance with the Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia.

Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita