By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Monrovia – The government of Liberia has shutdown Hongtu Mining Limited – a Chinese mining company and tuned over its authorities to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.
The Chinese company stands accused of carrying on illegal/illicit mining in Mat House Town, Dweh Community, District #1 Grand Bassa County.
The decision of the government follows a Liberia Excellent News Network earlier report detailing findings of a civil society organization’s investigation which discovered the usage of life threatening chemicals including mercury and cyanide by Hongtu Mining Limited.
Hongtu Mining Company Limited, a prospecting license holder, is said to be using heavy equipment and dangerous chemical substances such as mercury and cyanide, for its mining operations in the area.
The angry citizens, including women and youth, say they do not want the Chinese company in their community due to its indiscriminate mining operations which ignore all health and environmental standards and guidelines.
Residents accused Hongtu Mining Company Limited of polluting the environment, particularly, water sources and agricultural land, thus signaling an uncertain future for the economic survival of thousands of residents in the area.
The Liberian Government’s Ministry of Mines and Energy in a statement said “three illicit Chinese miners, along with their Liberian Manager, were on Monday evening, March 31, 2025 turned over to the Ministry of Justice to face prosecution for flagrant violation of Liberia’s Mineral and Mining Law of 2000.”
“Mines and Energy Ministry authorities handed the suspects over to the Justice Ministry through the Solicitor General, and his team of prosecutors.” The statement said.
The government said all contraband materials the Chinese company (Hongtu Mining Limited) was using to perpetuate their alleged illicit and illegal acts have been confiscated by the Mines and Energy Ministry, thus shutting down their operations.
“The latest clampdown on illicit and illegal mining was carried out by the Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Mines and Energy led by the Inspector-General Agatius Coker, and a team comprising the Bureau of Mines represented by Regional Coordinator Foday Varney.” The Ministry noted.
According to the government, Hongtu Mining Company ignored a March 20, 2025 Closure Order and continued carrying out the alleged illicit and illegal mining in Mat House Town, Dweh Community, District #1 Grand Bassa County.
