Monrovia –- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has granted a temporary permit to China Union, permitting the mining company to resume operations under strict conditions. This decision follows China Union’s partial payment of a fine levied due to previous environmental violations, as the company works to comply with Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law (EMPL).
China Union’s operations had been suspended due to its failure to meet environmental standards, a situation that persisted despite numerous warnings from the EPA. Following a field assessment and repeated attempts to engage the company, China Union failed to attend a scheduled technical and administrative conference with the EPA. The agency consequently imposed a fine in line with violations of the EMPL, halting China Union’s operations after the company ignored multiple reminders to address its shortcomings.
In recent developments, China Union admitted its failure to comply with the EPA’s regulations and requested a temporary permit to rectify the situation. According to EPA officials, the company cited its long period of inactivity as a factor for seeking leniency in paying the imposed fine. The EPA, considering the company’s request, agreed to issue the temporary permit after China Union made a partial payment toward the fine.
Under the terms of the temporary permit, China Union is expected to fully align its operations with Liberia’s environmental laws. The EPA emphasized that the permit is conditional and will be revoked if the company fails to meet all stipulated requirements within the specified period.
The EPA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that businesses operate in an environmentally responsible manner, upholding its mandate to protect Liberia’s natural resources for future generations. The reopening of China Union, albeit temporary, reflects the agency’s efforts to balance economic activity with environmental sustainability, emphasizing that adherence to regulations remains paramount for all companies operating in the country.
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