The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, has disclosed that the entity has imposed a fine of US$965 on several companies for the violation of environmental laws.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing, Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that the companies involved in the violations include, the J.M Mining Company Inc. located in Gbarpolu, the Randall and Oretha Doe Multi-purpose Company in Gbarpolu County, the Resource Liberia Limited in Gbarpolu County and the China Union investment in Bong County respectively.
He also named the Jimmy E. Qualah Private Facility and the Monrovia Food Construction Company in Monrovia as companies also in violation of the environmental laws of the country.
The EPA Executive Director narrated that the J.M Mining company has been operating a Class B gold mine in Gbarpolu County since March 2024, without an environmental permit which contravenes the environmental law of the country.
The EPA boss stressed that the companyโs action has led to huge sediment deposits into the Maher River which have made it difficult for residents to access water resources for domestic use.
Also, Dr. Yarkpawolo added that the J.M. Mining company, the Oretha Doe Multi-purpose, and the Resources Limited Liberia have violated sections 61, 57, 58, 105, and 6 of the EPA laws which include the law of water pollution.
He pointed out that the fine on the J.M mining company was as a result of the violation and is US$ 95,000 while the Randall and Oretha Doe Multi-purpose Company fine amounts to US$140,000.
For the Resources Liberia Limited company, the EPA boss mandated that they remit US$135,000 into the coffers of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).
In the case of the China Union Investment Company, Dr. Yarkpawolo informed the public that the Iron Ore Mining Company operates in Bong Mines, Bong County, and has continued to transport ores to the Freeport of Monrovia via the old Bong Mines Railway noting that the company is operating without an environmental permit and effluent discharge license.
He furthered that the company has commenced the construction of a new processing plant without the approval of the EPA, stressing that China Union previously constructed a medium tailings processing plant without a permit from the EPA.
According to him, the Jimmy E. Quapah private facility is located in Monrovia, stating that the company backfilled a wetland and constructed a fence without the EPAโ approval.
โThere is an ongoing drainage construction project backfilling and construction of retaining wall near the adjoining creek which is likely to cause massive flooding in the area,โ he asserted.
The EPA head added that the company has been fined US$50,000 while the Food Construction Company is to pay the amount of US$25,000 for constructing a facility in a flood plain.
It can be recalled that in March 2024, EPA also fined three companies for violating environmental laws amounting to US$70,998.00.
The companies fined in March include, East International, US$55,000, Quetz Mining Corporation US$2,998 while the Quetz Company was further fined US$12, 999 for Restoration Order.
The levying of the fines on these companies for being in violation of environmental laws will serve as a deterrent to other companies. Courtesy LINA
