By Stephanie M. Duncan
Inspector General of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Agatius Coker, has defended the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal mining, describing the exercise as a necessary measure to protect Liberia’s natural resources and ensure compliance with the country’s mining laws.
Speaking at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinion (CEIO), Coker said the Ministry of Mines and Energy is carrying out the enforcement exercise within the legal framework and in close collaboration with national security institutions to curb unlawful mining activities.
According to him, the operation is not only intended to enforce the law but also to educate miners and affected communities about the legal requirements for obtaining mining licenses and operating within the country’s regulatory framework.
He said illegal mining continues to pose serious challenges, including revenue losses to the government, environmental degradation, and significant safety risks for miners and surrounding communities.
Coker emphasized that the ministry remains committed to promoting lawful, responsible, and sustainable mining practices across Liberia while ensuring that the country’s mineral resources are managed in the interest of all Liberians.
He called on miners and community members to cooperate with government authorities by adhering to the nation’s mining regulations, stressing that compliance is essential to protecting both the environment and Liberia’s economic future.
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