MONROVIA – The Liberian government has revoked the operating permit of Bio-Chico, a mining company operating in Gbarpolu County, following a directive from President Joseph Boakai amid mounting community complaints.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah announced the decision Thursday during a regular press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism.
“The president ordered the revocation of the operating permit of Bio-Chico, a mining company in Gbarpolu County, and the permit has since been revoked,” Piah said.
The action follows weeks of complaints from residents and local leaders alleging environmental degradation and safety risks caused by Bio-Chico’s activities. Chief among the concerns were damages to infrastructure and reports of casualties involving trucks transporting iron ore through public roads.
“There were reports of severe casualties caused by trucks carrying iron ore belonging to Bio-Chico,” Piah said. “The situation is alarming and unacceptable.”
The minister said a sectoral meeting at the Executive Mansion on Wednesday revealed that Bio-Chico was operating without a valid permit to transport iron ore using public roads.
“It was established that the company did not have a permit to use the road network for trucking its ore,” Piah added.
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