Published: July 15, 2024
MONROVIA – Gao Feng, also known as Barry, and commonly referred to as “The Real Minister,” has been indicted along with several others for defrauding the Liberian government of approximately $48.8 million through illegal mining activities in the Belle Yallah region of Gbarpolu County.
By Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
Until his indictment, “The Real Minister” had always positioned himself as untouchable in the Liberian mining industry and could decide who gets and who does not get mining/exploration licences from the Ministry of Mines and Energy. He is reportedly on record for saying that he has the power to mine beneath the Executive Mansion, the seat of the Liberian presidency, if was proven that there were gold or diamond there.
“The Real Minister” and his co-defendants, including representatives of several companies, have been charged with economic sabotage, tax evasion, and criminal conspiracy. The indictment names Xin Li Da Investment Ltd., represented by Zheng Yi; Urban & Rural Services, Inc., represented by Muntaga Barry; Scott Investment Incorporation, represented by Randy Scott; Liberia Xian Shi Development Co., Ltd., represented by Li Yingjun; and Randell & Oretha S. Doe Multipurpose Company, represented by Randell Doe. Other individuals implicated include Mo Hailong, Mrs. Zhang Chi, Li Ying Song, and several others.
According to the Grand Jury of Gbarpolu County, an investigation by the Ministry of Mines and Energy revealed that in March 2023, Urban & Rural Services, Inc., represented by Muntaga Barry, along with Gao Feng, engaged in unauthorized mining using Prospecting Licenses. Utilizing four excavators and three washing plants provided by Liberia Xian Shi Development Co., Ltd., represented by Li Yingjun, they encroached on the mining claim of NEO Global Mines & Minerals Inc. in Belle Yallah, Belle Mining District. The Ministry estimates that the illegal proceeds from these activities amounted to $5,744,294.40. Furthermore, the group failed to reclaim the mined sites, violating the Mineral and Mining Law of 2000.
Scott Investment Incorporation, represented by Randy Scott, also participated in illicit mining activities with Gao Feng. Operating without a Mining License and using three excavators and two washing plants, they encroached on the mining claim of NEO Global Mines & Minerals Inc. The Ministry estimates that the illegal proceeds from this operation were $5,310,240.00. Scott Investment continued their illegal activities even after obtaining an Exploration License in November 2023, still failing to reclaim the sites, further violating the Mineral and Mining Law of 2000.
Xin Li Da Investment Development Ltd., represented by Zheng Yi, and Gao Feng engaged in illegal mining from March 2023 to the present. Using four excavators and two washing plants, they encroached on NEO Global Mines & Minerals Inc.’s claim, generating illegal proceeds estimated at $12,204,672.00 without site reclamation.
In June 2023, Scott Investment Incorporation, again represented by Randy Scott, along with Gao Feng, conducted illicit mining without a Mining License. Using six excavators and three washing plants provided by Mo Hailong and others, they encroached on Petrontre Liberia, Inc.’s claim in Manokorlleh, Zalakai Mining District. The Ministry estimates the illegal proceeds from this operation to be $6,619,329.60. Despite obtaining a Prospecting License in November 2023, Scott Investment failed to reclaim the mined sites, continuing to violate the Mineral and Mining Law of 2000.
Randell & Oretha S. Doe Multipurpose Company, represented by Randell Doe, was involved in illegal mining activities in March 2023. Using nine excavators and six washing plants provided by Xia Shigang and others, they encroached on NEO Global Mines & Minerals Inc.’s claim, with estimated illegal proceeds of $18,124,923.60. The company also conducted illegal mining outside their licensed area, further violating the Mineral and Mining Law of 2000.
Additionally, in 2022, Money Man Jackson and others engaged in illicit mining using one excavator without a Mining License. They encroached on NEO Global Mines & Minerals Inc.’s claim, resulting in estimated illegal proceeds of $777,666.00. None of the mined sites were reclaimed, violating the Mineral and Mining Law of 2000.
These illegal activities, uncovered through thorough investigations by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, have resulted in significant environmental damage and financial losses, according to the indictment. The second count of tax evasion involves accusations that the defendants willfully avoided paying taxes on their substantial profits from the illegal mining operations. The indictment specifies that the total amount of unreported proceeds exceeds $20 million, leading to a huge loss of revenue for the Liberian government.
Meanwhile, the court has issued a writ of arrest for the defendants to be brought under its jurisdiction. Seven Chinese have been arrested while ‘The Real Minister’ is still on the run.
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