River Gee: Authorities crackdown on illegal mining
By Ben TC Brooks
Authorities in River Gee County, led by Superintendent Mike Swengbe, have initiated a crackdown on illegal mining activities, Rural Reporter News Network (RRNN) has reliably gathered.
The crackdown on illegal mining in River Gee, was prompted by heightened environmental worries and the adverse effect it has on the local economy, according to our correspondent in the area.
Superintendent Swengbe recently issued a stern warning to individuals involved in illegal mining, indicating such individuals would face legal consequences as local authorities are committed to protecting the county’s natural resources.
Recently, Superintendent Swengbe along with several other officials, conducted inspections at various gold-mining sites, particularly within Tienpo Statutory District, where mining operations are on the increase despite inadequate infrastructure including good road network.
During these inspections, multiple illegal mining operations were discovered as several illegal miners were apprehended and handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Swengbe has called on the Ministry of Mines and Energy, as well as local law enforcement officers assigned in the county to enhance monitoring and verification efforts at mining sites to ensure compliance with legal standards.
River Gee County is rich in natural resources such as gold and dense forests, yet suffers from a struggling economy, which many attribute to illegal mining activities largely involving individuals believed to be foreign nationals.
In April, an unannounced inspection by the Liberia Environmental Protection Agency in River Gee’s gold-mining regions uncovered numerous unlicensed miners using dredges and excavators in creeks, forests, and rivers.
The directive from local authorities seeks to restore order in the mining industry and preserve Liberia’s natural resources for future generations.
Efforts are currently underway to enforce the ban and promote legal mining practices that will benefit both the county and the nation as a whole.
