Liberia: EPA Cracks Down on Illegal Mining in Gbarpolu: Excavators Seized, Dredges Shut Down, Mercury Use Exposed - FrontPageAfrica

GBARPOLU COUNTY, May 18, 2026 – In a bold first-day push of the Nationwide Environmental Compliance Monitoring Exercise, the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia’s Zone A Team has struck hard against illegal and non-compliant mining operations across Gbarpolu County.

By Henry B. Gboluma, Jr.

The team’s first action was at the Stephen Clan Mining Site in Zelekai Mining District, where inspectors caught a Class C license holder illegally using an excavator. The EPA immediately shut down the site and confiscated the excavator’s battery and key starter to halt operations.

In Soe Town, the team exposed a major violation by Rhode Mining, which was using two excavators to build a 28-kilometer road from Gbarnga-Gbarkoita to Soe Town. According to EPA, the project was a cover to prepare for Class B mining without the required environmental permit. The machines were barricaded and the company served a compliance notice.

Inspectors also uncovered 19 active dredges operating along the Tuma River near communities. Worse, miners were using mercury, a banned and highly toxic chemical. The EPA issued a compliance notice to the Soe Mining Chairman and warned all operators to stop using mercury immediately.

At Africa Mining in Kollie Village, two excavators were found working without authorization.

The equipment was barricaded and a noncompliance notice issued. Though operators claimed they had started the permit process, the EPA made clear that no mining activity can proceed without full environmental approval.

The EPA reaffirmed that this nationwide exercise is about enforcing the law, protecting communities, and ensuring that mining and development in Liberia happen responsibly and sustainably.