SINOE COUNTY – Illicit mining has taken on a new dimension in Grand Kru, Sinoe, and River Gee Counties. The million-dollar question remains: who is behind it? On the surface, allegations point to Ghanaians, Burkinabés, and Guineans as the primary actors driving the illegal mining activities in these areas.
During a tour of the region in Southeast Liberia, several towns and mining sites were visited, including the Sapo National Park, which straddles Sinoe and Grand Gedeh Counties, as well as various towns and villages in Grand Kru County. These areas are hotspots for intensive mining activities.
The photos accompanying this report capture scenes from Sapo National Park, where over three thousand illegal occupants are engaged in gold mining and hunting wildlife in protected areas for trade and consumption. Investigations on-site revealed a mix of Liberian citizens and foreign nationals from Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone involved in these activities. Liberian participants hail from counties such as Nimba, Bong, Lofa, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Margibi, and neighboring counties, including River Gee, Grand Gedeh, and Sinoe.
Further investigations uncovered that gold mined from the park is primarily sold to foreign buyers who hire Liberians on a daily basis. Workers earn a minimum of LD 1,500 (about $7.50) per day, while a gram of gold is sold for LD 11,000 to LD 12,000. Sources disclosed that a minimum of 45 to 50 grams of gold is extracted daily per broker. These brokers, often foreign nationals, own the equipment used for mining. While heavy machinery such as excavators is absent, water pumps are employed to drain mining sites.
The Sapo Park has evolved into settlements housing over 500 individuals living in makeshift shelters constructed from tarpaulins. Some of the communities within the park bear names like “Iraq,” “Afghanistan,” “America,” and “New Liberia.” According to sources, life in the park has persisted since 2003, with some residents establishing families there.
One resident of “Iraq” recounted, “I’ve been here for many years. My first child, born here, is now eighteen; my second is fifteen, and my youngest is ten. We are comfortable here. Everything we need is in this forest, except for cars because there are no roads. To reach the first motorable location from Mile 47, one has to walk for six to seven hours.”
Another resident of “America” explained their unwillingness to leave: “It’s not about defying government orders. It’s about survival. For newcomers, the hustle here is appealing. After a week or so, they won’t want to leave because the opportunities here are better than idling back home. Hard work and business sustain us.”
Residents described the cost of living in the park. “A cup of rice costs LD 150, a cup of gari is LD 100 or LD 125, and a bowl of cooked food is LD 500. Though prices are high, we don’t feel burdened because we handle money daily,” another resident added.
Meanwhile, the County Attorney of Sinoe County, Cllr. Daniel T-Kay Dweh, has disclosed plans by the national government to remove all illegal occupants from the Sapo National Park by 2025. Speaking to our reporter in Greenville, Cllr. Dweh emphasized that those living in the park have no legal right to reside or exploit resources meant to be preserved for future generations. He lamented that for too long, the government has struggled to remove illegal dwellers from the park, who continue to plunder its resources without benefiting the public. Instead, foreign nationals have been allowed to exploit the country’s wealth unchecked.
The head of all security personnel in Sinoe further stated that, once ready to enforce the eviction, there will be no negotiations, labeling the current state of affairs as a blatant defiance of national authority.
It can be recalled that, on several occasions, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), through its rangers—who are tasked with securing the Sapo National Park—has allegedly failed to remove illegal dwellers due to persistent resistance. Information gathered by our investigation reveals that armed police interventions supporting FDA rangers have also failed. Clashes between the illegal occupants and police, involving exchanges of gunfire, have made the situation volatile. Sources revealed that men within the park possess single-barrel firearms and other weapons, which they use to resist removal efforts.
Despite these challenges, Cllr. Dweh reiterated that the government is resolute in its decision to clear the park this year. He warned that there will be no negotiations or escape routes for those who defy the order. “If anyone feels they can challenge us, let them wait and see because we are leaving no stone unturned,” he stated emphatically.
In another development, our investigation uncovered that mining activities in Grand Kru and River Gee Counties are allegedly being supported by influential figures, a phenomenon described as “interest mining.” According to sources, foreign nationals are collaborating with local opinion leaders, including district representatives and senators, to carry out illegal mining activities in various areas of these counties.
During our tour of the region, it was observed that creeks and rivers in these counties are being heavily exploited by illegal miners, most of whom are Ghanaians. A notable example is in Grand Kru County’s Dorbor Administrative District, where the Dorbor and Taybue Rivers and surrounding creeks are occupied by numerous illegal miners. These foreigners are reportedly taking over the local population due to their increasing presence in the county.
Residents of Jlatiken and Weyean in Electoral District #2 expressed fears to our investigator that, if left unchecked, these foreign miners could eventually dominate their towns and forests. They accused local opinion leaders, ranging from town chiefs to representatives and senators, of turning a blind eye to the illegal activities.
Further inquiries made to the Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy revealed limited responses. The Ministry’s Director for Public Relations, Richard [last name not provided], promised to conduct his own investigation and provide comments at an appropriate time.
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