NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – September 17, 2026: The Law Reform Commission (LRC) has called for a complete overhaul of Liberia’s mining laws, urging lawmakers to integrate proposed amendments into a comprehensive legal framework to address illegal mining, protect existing agreements, and strengthen governance of the country’s natural resources.
By: Kabina S. Kabah – kabinaskabah98@gmail.com
The Commission’s Executive Director, Cllr. Bornor Varmah, delivered the recommendations during a hearing of the House Committee on Land, Mines, Energy and Natural Resources and Environment, convened by Representative Sokan at the Capitol Building.
The hearing is reviewing the Protect Our Resources Task Force (PORT) Legislative Briefing on illicit mining operations and proposed reforms to Liberia’s Minerals and Mining Law of 2000.
The Law Reform Commission says the existing mining law is outdated and lacks the modern legal tools required to ensure environmental safety, protect communities, and promote effective resource governance.
Cllr. Varmah emphasized that the management of Liberia’s natural resources must prioritize the welfare of citizens and their participation in the national economy, in line with the principles of the Liberian Constitution.
On illegal mining, the Commission identified continued unauthorized mining activities as a serious concern, citing reports from Sandeo and Bopolu. It said illicit operations threaten public revenue, damage rivers and forests, and affect surrounding communities.
The LRC acknowledged the government’s establishment of the Protect Our Resources Task Force under Executive Order No. 1-26, issued on June 26, 2026, but raised concerns over reported funding constraints that could limit the task force’s ability to sustain enforcement operations nationwide.
The Commission said available government information does not yet establish a sustained reduction in illegal mining across Liberia.
As part of its recommendations, the LRC is calling on the committee to request a consolidated report from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Protect Our Resources Task Force.
The report, according to the Commission, should provide county-by-county information on unauthorized mining operations, closures, arrests, prosecutions, and environmental restoration to help identify legal and institutional gaps.
The Commission also raised concerns about the technical soundness of the proposed mining legislation.
Cllr. Varmah said the draft contains structural omissions, including a failure to clearly identify the specific sections of the 2000 mining law being amended, the omission of provisions on artisanal mining zones, and an incomplete closing clause.
He said addressing these drafting deficiencies is necessary to prevent regulatory ambiguity and statutory conflicts.
The Law Reform Commission further urged lawmakers to protect existing mining agreements under Article 25 of the 1966 Constitution, while ensuring that new requirements relating to refining, metals, and state equity are clearly applied to future licenses.
The Commission’s central recommendation is for Liberia to adopt a single, comprehensive mining legal framework, rather than advancing separate amendments that could create inconsistencies in the country’s mining regulations.
According to the LRC, the government’s second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact presents an opportunity for comprehensive mining law reform, with technical and financial assistance from the MCC.
The Commission said the government is already pursuing an overhaul of Liberia’s mining laws, with the reform process expected to complete drafting before 2027.
It therefore recommends integrating the bill currently before the Legislature into the new comprehensive framework to prevent legislative overlap and statutory conflict.
The LRC also highlighted preliminary geochemical survey findings indicating that Liberia may possess significant mineral resources beyond gold and diamonds, emphasizing the need for a legal framework capable of regulating the country’s broader mineral sector.
