By: Kabinah Kaba
MONROVIA – A high-level delegation from the China Geological Survey (CGS) has arrived in Liberia and met with Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, as part of a renewed partnership aimed at deepening the exploration of Liberia’s mineral resources.
The visit follows a formal request by Vice President Jeremiah Koung for China to return and complete a comprehensive geochemical survey across Liberia.
This diplomatic outreach has led to renewed engagement under an ongoing bilateral agreement between the two nations.
In February 2025, China officially handed over the results from Phase One of the geochemical survey, which covered the Harper and Voinjama quadrangles, to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
The ceremony, attended by Vice President Koung, included a call for the Chinese government to extend the project to the remaining regions of Liberia.
During an inception meeting held on Wednesday, July 9, Minister Paye welcomed the CGS geoscientists and reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the collaboration. He emphasized that the country remains largely under-explored and described the China-Aid Project as vital to revitalizing Liberia’s mineral sector.
Joining the Minister were key officials from the Ministry, including Deputy Minister for Operations, William Hines, and Assistant Minister for Mineral Exploration and Environmental Research, Oliver Gbegbe.
Deputy Minister Hines thanked the CGS for their continued support and pledged full cooperation from Liberian technical teams throughout Phase Two of the survey.
Assistant Minister Gbegbe recommended that geophysics be incorporated into the next phase alongside geology and geochemistry to create a more complete national geoscience dataset.
He stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive foundation for future mineral development.
Also present at the meeting was Anthony Kullie, Director of the Liberia Geological Survey (LGS), who will play a key role in coordinating local efforts as the project moves forward.
