Published: November 13, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia is preparing a US$31.57 million initiative to reduce mercury pollution in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, with a proposed 20,000 direct beneficiaries, including 12,000 women, expected to benefit from cleaner mining technologies, improved access to financing and stronger environmental safeguards.
The proposed planetGOLD Liberia Project includes a US$7 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and US$24.57 million in indicative co-financing, according to project documents presented during an inception workshop organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy and development partners.
The proposed beneficiary target represents a significant increase over the approximately 8,000 beneficiaries initially outlined during the workshop. However, project documents indicate that the 20,000 target remains indicative and must be verified during the preparation phase.
The initiative seeks to address the widespread use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, where informal operations, limited access to financing, weak institutional systems and the high cost of cleaner processing technologies continue to undermine environmentally responsible mining.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the implementing agency, with the EPA and the Ministry of Mines and Energy serving as executing partners under the project’s identification framework.
Speaking during the workshop, Cooper-Liverpool outlined four major components designed to improve mining governance, promote mercury-free technologies, expand access to responsible gold markets and strengthen institutional capacity.
According to the project presentation, the GEF proposes US$450,000 for policy strengthening and the formalization of artisanal mining operations. This component will support institutional reforms, improved regulatory services and the development of a national artisanal and small-scale gold mining database.
The second component, allocated US$4.37 million, will focus on access to finance and responsible markets. It seeks to improve financial literacy, establish financing partnerships and connect legally compliant miners using mercury-free practices with responsible gold buyers.
Another US$1.65 million is proposed for mercury-free technologies, including assessing locally appropriate gold-processing methods and demonstrations at five proposed mining sites.
The fourth component, valued at US$200,000, will support knowledge sharing, communication and local capacity development through training, awareness campaigns and institutional partnerships.
The four component allocations total US$6.67 million, while the overall GEF grant is listed as US$7 million. The presentation does not specify how the remaining US$330,000 is allocated.
Cooper-Liverpool explained that baseline assessments and stakeholder consultations will help establish conditions in mining communities and determine measurable outcomes for the project’s proposed four-year implementation period.
She said the preparation process will culminate in a project document for endorsement by the GEF chief executive officer before proceeding to the AfDB’s appraisal process.
Meanwhile, AfDB Country Manager Rees Mwasambil, represented by Jerry Ahadjiee, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s transition toward cleaner and more economically sustainable gold production.
He emphasized that reducing mercury pollution must be accompanied by improved mining practices, financing opportunities, and reliable markets to protect miners’ livelihoods.
“The African Development Bank remains committed to working with the Liberian Government and its partners to make responsible mining a stronger source of opportunity and prosperity,” Mwasambil said in remarks delivered on his behalf.
He urged stakeholders to set evidence-based priorities, transparent criteria for selecting demonstration sites, clear institutional responsibilities, and a realistic project preparation timetable.
The AfDB representative also stressed the importance of helping informal mining businesses adopt improved technologies and access financial services without compromising environmental protection.
For his part, EPA Deputy Executive Director for Technical Services Dweh Boley warned that mercury pollution remains a serious environmental concern, particularly because improper mining practices contribute to water and soil contamination.
Boley reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to addressing the environmental and public health risks associated with mercury use.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy similarly welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder collaboration in developing practical interventions for mining communities.
The workshop also examined evidence gaps, proposed fieldwork methodologies, gender inclusion, environmental safeguards and institutional responsibilities.
According to the project presentation, participants are expected to help prepare the GEF chief executive officer endorsement package and the AfDB Project Appraisal Report addendum.
The planetGOLD Liberia Project remains in its preparation phase, with final financing arrangements, beneficiary targets, and implementation details subject to further assessment and approval.
Discussion about this post