By Henry B. Gboluma, Jr.
BELLE YELLA, GBARPOLU – Deep in the Belle Forest, officers of the Police Support Unit (PSU) of the Liberian National are said to be providing security protection for a Chinese backed mining company that has been declared illegal by mining authorities in Liberia, Liberia Forest Media Watch (FMW) facts finding mission has established. The Belle Forest is located in Belle District, which hosts the town of Belle Yalla where the infamous prison center Belle Yalla was once situated.
The name of the Chinese-backed company involved in the illegal is Randell & Oretha S. Doe Multipurpose Company. Seven PSU officers, Corporal Holmes, Pantoe Cheyee (LNP 3970), Daniel F. Brown, Abubarkar M. Sarnor, Samuel Davies, Austin S. Kitie and Emmanuel Nagbah were seen assigned at the company’s camp deep in the Belle Forest.
Randell & Oretha S. Doe Multipurpose Company and other mining companies with rights to only prospecting licenses, have been conducting Class B Mining in flagrant disregard to the mining law of the Republic of Liberia. Documents in our possession indeed proved that Randell & Oretha S. Doe Multipurpose Company is operating under the facade of a Mineral Exploration License issued on May 31, 2023 by the former Minister of the Ministry Lands, Mines and Energy ,Gester E. Murray.
Exploration license as per the Mineral Law of Liberia limits the Licensee (Holder) to exploration only- ascertain the existence, location, quantity, and quality or commercial value of mineral deposits in the exploration area. Exploration license does not also apply to the process of applying for a Mining License. See regulation governing exploration.
A visit to the camp of Randell & Oretha S. Doe Multipurpose Company confirmed reports that the company, with the right to only prospecting license, has deployed excavators and washing plants to extract gold. Chapter 22, Section 22.1 B of the mining law says individuals or entities found guilty of illegal mining may face a fine up to USD $25,000.00 or the equivalent in Liberian Dollars.
While Randell & Oretha S. Doe Multipurpose Company is involved in illegal mining, it has also been accused of breaking environmental laws of the country by polluting waters within its mining areas. Report also indicates the water pollution is causing significant harm to the aquatic life of the inhabitants of Belle Yalla, including the ecosystem. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) recently fined several companies, including the Randell and Oretha Doe Multi-purpose Company, for environmental violations ranging from operating without permits to polluting water sources.
Efforts to address the issue of illegal mining in Gbarpolu County have hit roadblocks as authorities remain tight-lipped. Contact with the PSU Commander of Gbarpolu, Erickson Diggs has yielded no result. “Commander Erickson Diggs referred us to a non-responsive police unit codes. “They were sent there by Central [Headquarters of the Liberia National Police LNP],” he referred us to 117 and 102. But efforts to make contact with individuals with these codes through calls and text messages failed as none responded.
Attempts to also reach the LNP Spokesperson, Madam Cecelia Clark via telephone and text messages for comment have been met with delays resulting in unfilled follow up as promised “In a meeting, ”Her text further stated. Let’s talk about that later probably this evening” – [this was the early morning of July 10, 2024]. In a letter addressed to the Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Gbarpolu County Senators Amara Konneh and Botoe Kanneh expressed dismay of the lack of progress in addressing the illegal mining since the both senators first brought it to the attention of the Committee on Mines and Energy in April.
In an exclusive interview with LFMW, Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah said “we ae putting together the necessary evidences to institute legal action, to demand transparency, accountability, and justice to curb illegal mining activities, protect the environment, and secure the country’s resources for future generations.”
