IPNEWS: The Ministry of Mines and Energy has disclosed to the public that it is nearing plans to lift the moratorium placed on mining operations in Grand Kru County.
Updating the public on state radio about his stewardship of the Ministry from 2018 to the present, Mines and Energy Minister, Gesler E. Murray, said he has received substantial support from his team of administrators and technical experts to ensure the ban is lifted.
It may be recalled, an astronomical surge in illicit and illegal mining activities left the Mines Ministry with the only remedy of temporarily halting Class “C”, and “B” operations in Grand Kru in October of 2021. Since then, Mineral Inspectors, and County authorities with assistance from the national security forming part of the task force against illicit mining, have been enforcing the implementation of the moratorium, ensuring strict adherence.
According to surveys conducted by Geologists and Mining Engineers, the southeastern region of Liberia where Grand Kru is located, is endowed with mineral resources, mainly gold. This high deposit level has attracted the business interest of hundreds of Miners in Grand Kru, most of them being artisanal small-scale or Class “C” License holders. This category of mining is set aside only for Liberians to give them participation opportunities in the sector, but aiding and abetting by locals has seen several violations inspectors have unearthed, some including illegally colluding with aliens and foreign nationals to violate restrictions provided for by their license category.
When the moratorium is lifted off-mining activities in Grand Kru as Minister Murray assured, there will be rigorous monitoring and routine inspection of all mining sites within the county to watch over illicit and illegal operations.
