Union Accuses Liberian Officials of Corruption and Harassment Against Local Miners

By: D Abraham Cooper Sr.| Grand Gedeh County Correspondent

Zwedru, Grand Gedeh-Tuesday, September 16, 2025-In a recent press statement released by the Concerned Minerals Miners’ Workers Union of Liberia (CCMMUL), the organization has leveled serious allegations against officials from the Ministry of Mines, and Energy.

According to the statement read by the Union’s spokesman Mayson Chepoyee, some personalities of the Ministry are reportedly engaging in extensive harassment of local miners in the southeastern region of Liberia. This harassment, the union claims, is obstructing the local miners who are working hard to create job opportunities for citizens.

The Union raised serious concerns specifically about Director of Mines, Alwell Aloysius Carr and Assistant Minister for Operations, William S. Hines, alleging that they are involved in corrupt practices and nepotism in their field operations.

They emphasize that these officials are allegedly assigning individuals who are not official employees of the ministry to continually harass local miners in various gold camps across southeastern counties.

Citing Chapter 6, Section 157 of mining laws, the union pointed out that a single mining claim should not exceed two thousand acres. However, it is claimed that more than four thousand acres have been allocated to foreign miners contrarily to the law, especially those from China and India.

Furthermore, the press statement highlighted Chapter 6, Section 158, which describes the proper method of obtaining mining claims.

Thus, the is “Union alleges that the two officials have failed to adhere to these legal requirements, allowing their relatives to impose illegal fees on local miners; and effectively enforcing a system of harassment under the guise of flexibility fees.”

Meanwhile, the Union calls upon His Excellency President Joseph N. Boakai to promptly look into this matter with the urgency it deserves as tension is building up.

They reminded the President of his commitment to dismiss any minister found guilty of corruption and urge for a thorough investigation into the matter. The miners believe this is essential to ensure justice and maintain the integrity of the mining sector in Liberia.