By Christian Appleton
Barclayville, Grand Kru County — September 30, 2025–In a landmark enforcement move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has intervened against illegal mining operations in Dougbo Town, Grand Kru County. A team led by EPA Inspector General R. Baiyezinah Brown arrived in the area to address unauthorized gold mining activities that have long been a source of concern for residents and civil society groups.
The EPA’s action follows mounting complaints that illegal mining is threatening both the environment and the livelihoods of local communities. A field assessment conducted on September 17 confirmed that the company Marcus Woart & Abednego Chaou, Incorporated had been operating a Class “B” gold mine without the legally mandated environmental permit required under the Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML) of 2003.
In response, the EPA has issued a formal notice of violation, levied a US$5,000 fine, and ordered the company to begin immediate restoration of the affected area. The fine is required to be paid into the government’s consolidated account via the Liberia Revenue Authority within 10 working days. Documentation of the enforcement action was shared with local authorities, including Diayoken Chiefdom Paramount Chief Bestman K. Toby and other community leaders.
While the enforcement includes financial penalties, it has been welcomed by residents as a necessary and overdue intervention. Deacon Elijah Chaou, the father of one of the company’s operators, expressed gratitude for the EPA’s physical presence in Dougbo—a first since the county’s creation in 1984.
“Even though you are here to enforce the laws, we appreciate your presence. Awareness of such is really needed for the betterment of our community,” Chaou said.
Grand Kru County Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner Clement Barlatt, assured the EPA of the joint security’s full support, stating, “We stand ready to cooperate fully to ensure the rule of law is upheld.”
The EPA’s action is being lauded as a critical step in safeguarding Liberia’s fragile ecosystems and ensuring responsible resource governance in remote mining communities often overlooked by national regulatory frameworks. This development also sends a strong signal to other operators across the country about the increasing enforcement of environmental laws as Liberia continues to grapple with the challenges of balancing natural resource extraction with environmental sustainability.
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