Tuzohn, Sinoe County: The Ministry of Mines and Energy through a joint effort with the Liberia National Police(LNP) and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), has arrested a Chinese national, Jack Chen and his Ghanaian collaborator, Obed Burikoney for engaging in illicit mining activities in Tuzohn, Sinoe County.
The two suspects were apprehended by the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s Compliance Enforcement team. The duo were caught operating excavators and other semi- mechanized mining equipment under a Class “C” mining license. Authorities say such operations violate the mining and mineral laws of Liberia, particularly in environmental protection.
They have been turned over to the Liberia National Police Sinoe County detachment for preliminary investigation. They will be brought before the Investigative Board of the Mines and Energy Ministry for further probe before being handed to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.
In a separate operation, the Compliance Team of the Ministry of Mines and Energy has uncovered several major violations by Atlantic Mineral Company in Greeneville, Sinoe County. Investigators say the company is operating without a valid memorandum of understanding (MoU) at its Heavy Mineral Sand (HMS) site in the Morgan Town community, leaving the affected community with no benefits.
According to Investigators, Atlantic Mineral Company has in its employ undocumented Vietnam citizens.
Mines and Energy Minister, Wilmot Paye has stressed that the ministry’s Compliance Enforcement team remains vigilant in removing unscrupulous individuals who intends bypass lawful procedures and cause environmental degradation in communities across the country.
More updates will be provided from the field operations of the Ministry of Mines and Energy in the south-southeastern part of Liberia.