LOCAL NEWS
GBARPOLU – The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has uncovered major environmental violations during its ongoing nationwide monitoring exercise, leading to the shutdown of multiple mining operations in Gbarpolu County.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
On day two of the exercise, the EPA Zone A Team visited Cosmos Investment Corporation Limited in Gbaryasu Town, Bopolu Mining District, where inspectors identified what they described as serious breaches of environmental regulations.
According to the EPA, the company failed to present a valid environmental permit on-site, did not provide monitoring reports, lacked a used-oil management system, and was operating under poor sanitation and weak waste management conditions.
Inspectors also raised alarm after discovering that the company had diverted the Butulu River channel, a development described as a major environmental concern.
Following the findings, the EPA issued an immediate halt order, instructing management to suspend all operations due to environmental degradation and pollution risks.
Unlicensed Gold Mining Operation Shut Down
In a separate inspection within the same district, the EPA team also visited Eurica Mining Company, where it discovered that the company was conducting a Class B gold mining operation without an environmental permit.
As a result, the agency issued a non-compliance notice and barricaded one excavator found actively operating at the site.
The monitoring team further proceeded to Point Worwor Town in Gbelee Ta Clan, where it identified 22 Class C mining sites.
At one site owned by Mr. Junior Morris, inspectors reportedly found an excavator in use, prompting the EPA to order an immediate shutdown of operations and barricade the equipment for environmental violations.
Mercury Awareness and Community Engagement
Although miners at the site denied using hazardous chemicals such as mercury, EPA officials used the visit to conduct awareness sessions with miners and local leaders on the dangers of mercury use in artisanal mining, particularly its long-term environmental and health impacts.
The agency reaffirmed that its nationwide monitoring exercise is aimed at strengthening environmental compliance, protecting water bodies and biodiversity, and promoting sustainable mining practices across Liberia.
Officials emphasized that enforcement actions will continue wherever violations are detected, as part of broader efforts to curb environmental degradation linked to mining activities.
