Published: May 6, 2026
MONROVIA — The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia imposed fines totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, ordered the restoration of a polluted creek in Grand Kru County, shut down an unlicensed mining company in Bong County, and announced a sweeping two-week nationwide compliance monitoring exercise set to begin the second week of May 2026, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo said Thursday at the Ministry of Information press briefing.
“Our work is not against development,” Dr. Yarkpawolo told reporters. “Our work is in support of responsible development. But these activities must be conducted within the limits of the law, with respect to communities, with attention to public health and with full responsibility for environmental consequences.”
He added: “On our watch, the EPA has made clear that environmental protection is not optional. It is a legal duty, a moral responsibility and a national development priority.”
Seti Brothers Fire Aftermath
Dr. Yarkpawolo provided update on the fire and chemical explosion that struck the Sethi Brothers warehouse in the Iron Factory community on Dec. 6, 2025, followed by a second explosion the following day. He said the company had completed the relocation of its paint and plastic warehouses to the Mamba Point Industrial Complex, hired an EPA-accredited firm to demolish damaged structures and remove contaminated debris, and cleaned affected drainage channels.
The only major outstanding issue, he said, was the provision of medical treatment for residents affected by toxic fumes. “The EPA continues to monitor this matter and will continue to press for timely fulfillment.”
Bear Mountain: Creek Pollution, Unauthorized Sand Mining
The EPA executive director also spoke on issues at Bea Mountain Mining Corporation which has been subject to multiple simultaneous investigations covering a community relocation advisory, the mass death of fish in the Marvoe Creek, a compliance audit of mine operations, and unauthorized sand extraction from the Lofa River.
On the Marvoe Creek incident, laboratory analysis confirmed the immediate cause of the mass aquatic mortality was elevated concentrations of cypermethrin, a highly toxic pesticide dangerous to aquatic organisms even in small amounts. Yarkpawolo said the contamination traced to waters collected from operational zones within BMMC’s construction area.
Of greater concern, investigators found that substantial quantities of dead fish and aquatic species had been buried along riverbanks, a finding not voluntarily disclosed by company officials until state security personnel pressed them during a joint investigation.
“Such conduct is unacceptable. It undermines trust, obstructs environmental transparency and weakens confidence in corporate reporting,” the director said.
Follow-up water testing on April 24, 2026, showed cypermethrin levels had returned to within acceptable limits. Even so, the EPA maintained its advisory for communities along the Malvore Creek to refrain from consuming fish or aquatic species until further notice.
The EPA ordered BMMC to contract an independent EPA-approved firm to design and implement a comprehensive biodiversity restoration program, hire a separate third-party laboratory to conduct monthly water quality assessments, and submit a formal remediation plan within 21 business days.
“Restoration cannot be symbolic,” Yarkpawolo said. “It must be scientific, measurable, transparent and supervised.”
On the unauthorized sand mining in the Lofa River, the EPA found BMMC had used excavators and heavy-duty ore trucks to conduct industrial-scale sand extraction, obstructing approximately 50% of the river channel. The EPA imposed an administrative fine of $50,000 and a restoration and monitoring fee of $20,000.
“Rivers are not empty spaces. They are living systems. They support fisheries, agriculture, transportation, groundwater recharge, biodiversity and community livelihoods,” he said.
A compliance audit of BMMC’s Liberty Gold Mine separately identified unauthorized infrastructure development, gaps in environmental monitoring, deficiencies in hazardous materials management and an absence of structured environmental incident reporting mechanisms.
China Union: $30,000 Fine, Restoration Order
Laboratory-confirmed violations at China Union Mining Company’s Bong County operations showed the company had discharged untreated wastewater into the environment, contaminating surface and groundwater sources with chromium and other hazardous pollutants beyond permissible levels.
The EPA imposed an administrative fine of $30,000, a restoration and monitoring fee of $20,000, and a mandatory restoration order. China Union was ordered to halt all contamination sources immediately, provide safe drinking water to affected communities and engage an independent consultant to develop a restoration plan.
“Water pollution will not be tolerated. Every company in Liberia must understand that access to land or mineral resources does not bring them permission to pollute water sources and endanger communities,” Yarkpawolo said.
Lokett Mining Shut Down
The EPA confirmed illegal mining operations by Lokett ERA Mining Company in Bong County conducted without a valid environmental permit, with environmental risks to the Zubila Creek and abandoned open mining pits. An administrative fine of $3,000 was imposed, and the company was ordered to submit an environmental and social impact assessment and rehabilitation plan before any future operations would be considered.
“The size of the company does not determine whether the law applies,” the director said.
Arcelor Mittal Pays $185,000
Heavy rainfall at Arcelor Mittal Liberia’s Nimba County operations caused a collapsed overburden stockpile to release iron-rich sediments and contaminated runoff into local water bodies and farmlands in the Bola Valley. Laboratory analysis confirmed exceedances for iron, lead, selenium, chromium and suspended solids. The company also failed to report the incident within the mandatory 72-hour window.
The EPA imposed a $125,000 fine and required the company to fund a $60,000 comprehensive environmental assessment of the corridor. “I can confirm today that the company has paid the amounts in full,” Yarkpawolo said. He added that Arcelor Mittal had also completed full financial compensation of all affected Bola community farmers and was mandated to redesign its overburden facilities to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Nationwide Monitoring Exercise
Beginning the second week of May 2026, the EPA will deploy technical teams across more than 15 counties for a two-week environmental compliance monitoring exercise covering mining, agriculture, forestry, large-scale industrial operations and infrastructure projects.
“It is not merely a documentation exercise. It is an enforcement action,” Yarkpawolo said. “Where sanctions, closures, fines, restoration orders and regulatory measures are necessary, the EPA will act.”
LPG and Noise Regulations
The director announced a new regulation governing liquefied petroleum gas covering its processing, distribution, storage, handling, transportation and use across Liberia, citing the proliferation of LPG cylinders in densely populated communities, markets and residential areas as a public safety concern.
On noise pollution, he said the EPA had passed regulations through broad consultation with city government, religious communities and entertainment operators, and had already conducted enforcement actions through eight noise pollution task forces. He acknowledged, however, that the problem persisted.
“The noise pollution situation is not under control,” he said, adding the EPA was strengthening collaboration with the Liberian National Police and city government to escalate enforcement. “Those who violate the noise pollution regulation will face the full force of the law.”
Environmental Information Access
The EPA also announced guidelines governing public access to environmental information under the Environmental Protection and Management Law and the Freedom of Information Act. All regulations and guidelines referenced in the press conference are available at the agency’s Environmental Knowledge Management System portal at ekmsliberia.info.
Dr. Yarkpawolo issued a direct warning to the private sector. “Let it be clear, the EPA is not acting against investment. We are acting in defense of the environment, communities and the law. Responsible investment is welcome in Liberia, but no company is above the environmental law or accountability. Where pollution occurs, restoration must follow.”
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