In continuation of the clampdown on all illegal and illicit mining activities across Liberia, the Ministry of Mines and Energy through its Compliance Enforcement Team has closed down the operations of a bogus mining company known as ‘Bounteous Mining Company’ in Konobo Sayoubo Town, Grand Gedeh County.
Mines and Energy Ministry’s Compliance Enforcement Team comprising Mining Engineers, Geologists, and Environmentalists discovered that the Bounteous Mining Company was carrying out active mining in the Country without any legal authorization from the Mines and Energy Ministry, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, it was discovered that the bogus company’s mining operations were destroying the banks of the Cavalla River which is an international waterbody between Liberia and the Ivory Coast.
Also during the enforcement operations, the Mines and Energy Ministry found out that Liberians are colluding with illicit Chinese miners who, in 2024, started illegally mining mineral in an abandoned artisanal mining camp known as ‘Jamaica’, and later relocated to Konobo Sayoubo Town in 2025. This Town in Grand Gedeh County is closer to the banks of the Cavalla River. The illicit miners moved over to Konobo Sayoubo Town after they have depleted mineral deposits in the Jamaica camp, according to findings.
The Compliance Enforcement Team also reports that the five illicit Chinese miners they were told are the ones mainly operating the BMC bogus company fled into the bushes upon their arrival on the mining site where they have more than twenty Liberian daily hires. All equipment belonging to the illicit miners have been confiscated by the Ministry (MME) through collaboration from the Liberia National Police (LNP).
A woman identified as Beatrice Cooper is said to be the Chief Executive Officer of the unlicensed Bounteous Mining Company. These violations of the Minerals and Mining Law, and the Environmental Protection Laws of the Country among other unwholesome practices by illicit miners are leading to destruction of the environment and also defraud the Liberian Government of revenue needed to fund development programs outlined in the national development plan, which is the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
