By Alfred Kollie
Ben Ben Town, Montserrado County – Residents of Ben Ben Town in District One, Montserrado County, are alleging that the Ministry of Mines and Energy is complicit with an individual, Richard Kollie, in an illegal takeover of their community’s long-operated mining area.
The accusations follow a mediation meeting held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Ben Ben Town by Assistant Minister for Mines Carlos E. Tingban. Citizens claim that Kollie, allegedly backed by certain ministry officials, unlawfully entered their mining site and subsequently altered the town’s original mining license in his favor.
The disputed mining area, situated behind Bentol in Mount Coffee Township, was reportedly operated by Ben Ben Town until its license expired.
During the mediation, Minister Tingban stated that a review of licenses and explanations from both Ben Ben Town and Richard Kollie revealed that neither party currently holds a legal claim to the area, which the ministry considers government-owned. To resolve any boundary disputes, he suggested a GPS survey, contingent on both parties’ dissatisfaction.
Minister Tingban also instructed representatives from both sides to draft a Memorandum of Understanding outlining potential shared access to the area for submission to the ministry. However, the proposed GPS survey was stalled when Richard Kollie, who initially presented his license, later reported it missing.
Despite repeated appeals from Ben Ben Town residents, the Ministry of Mines and Energy has yet to take further action, fueling suspicions of collusion among the community.
Miatta Williams, the Chairlady of Ben Ben Town, expressed the community’s frustration to GNN-Liberia News on Sunday, accusing the ministry of “compromising” the case and neglecting the well-being of the residents.
Madam Williams stated that since 2020, Kollie’s alleged illegal mining operations have deprived the town of essential services such as clean drinking water, a school, and a clinic. “We don’t want Richard Kollie here,” she asserted. “He stole our license, and now he’s causing health problems and damaging our buildings with his operations.”
She further highlighted environmental and health hazards resulting from Kollie’s activities, including dust pollution and structural damage to buildings caused by heavy machinery.
Isaac G. Youngar, the town’s spokesperson, called on residents to remain peaceful and patient while emphasizing the urgent need for the ministry to resume the suspended GPS survey to resolve the ongoing dispute.
Youngar stated that the community had accepted the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s intervention in the interest of peace, but insisted on the necessity of a GPS survey of the contested mining area. He also accused a Deputy Inspector General of Mines of intimidating residents and showing partiality towards Kollie.
It is worth noting that in late 2024, the Ministry of Mines and Energy imposed a ban on all activities within the disputed area pending a resolution to the conflict—a resolution that residents claim has yet to materialize.
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