The serenity of Gbankonah, a town nestled in Zota District, Bong County, Liberia, has been disrupted by the rumbling of machinery and the clandestine activities of Da-Tang Mining, a Chinese mining company. Despite a government-imposed suspension of its operations, Da-Tang continues to defy the Ministry of Mines and Energy, persisting with its gold mining activities in the area. This blatant disregard for authority underscores a deeper issue of potential corruption, illegal mining practices, and a lack of respect for Liberian law. The company’s actions have sparked controversy and raise serious questions about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight within the country’s mining sector.
The saga began with a complaint filed in March 2025 by H & K Trading Inc., a legitimate concession holder in the Weinsue Mining District. H & K Trading accused Da-Tang of encroaching upon their designated mining area, prompting an investigation by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The subsequent findings revealed a calculated scheme by Da-Tang to exploit a loophole in the licensing process, enabling them to mine illegally within H & K Trading’s territory. This investigation, spearheaded by Assistant Minister for Mines Carlos E. Tingban, Sr., and culminating in a suspension announcement by Acting Deputy Minister for Operations Oliver S. Gbegbe, uncovered a web of deceit and manipulation orchestrated by Da-Tang.
At the heart of the controversy lies Da-Tang’s manipulation of UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinates, a crucial element in defining mining boundaries. The company admitted to altering these coordinates, claiming the changes were insignificant. However, the investigation revealed that these alterations, although ostensibly minor, strategically placed Da-Tang’s operations within H & K Trading’s concession area, effectively allowing them to mine gold illegally. Adding to the transgression, Da-Tang’s 2022 request for a coordinate change was never officially approved, yet the company audaciously used these unapproved coordinates during its 2025 license renewal, demonstrating a calculated disregard for regulatory processes.
The investigation also implicated Victor Nyumah, the surveyor responsible for the 2021 site survey, in the fraudulent activity. Nyumah is accused of manipulating data and acting in a compromised manner, facilitating Da-Tang’s illicit operations. This suggests a potential breach of professional ethics and possibly corruption within the surveying process, further undermining the integrity of the licensing system. The investigators concluded that the coordinate change request was a deliberate ploy by Da-Tang to mask their illegal mining activities, demonstrating a premeditated intention to circumvent the law. Further allegations suggest that a Da-Tang representative attempted to bribe ministry officials to influence the approval process, adding another layer of corruption to the already complex situation.
In response to these egregious violations, the Ministry of Mines and Energy ordered Da-Tang to cease operations within H & K Trading’s concession and return to their originally licensed area. Furthermore, the company faces hefty fines in accordance with the Mineral and Mining Laws of 2000. A technical team of engineers and geologists will conduct further assessments to determine the full extent of the environmental damage and illegal mining activity, paving the way for appropriate remedial actions and penalties. The Ministry also recommended the indefinite suspension of Surveyor Victor Nyumah for his complicity in the scheme, signaling a commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions.
Despite the Ministry’s decisive actions, including a mandated 30-day moratorium on Da-Tang’s operations and the possibility of an appeal hearing, the Chinese mining company continues to operate in Gbankonah. This defiance raises concerns about the government’s ability to enforce its regulations and maintain control over its natural resources. Da-Tang’s continued operation not only undermines the authority of the Ministry but also disrespects the legal framework governing mining operations in Liberia. This act of defiance has far-reaching implications, potentially discouraging legitimate investors and jeopardizing the integrity of Liberia’s mining sector. The Ministry of Mines and Energy has publicly reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, but the ongoing situation with Da-Tang presents a significant challenge to its credibility. The government must take swift and decisive action to enforce its rulings and demonstrate that impunity will not be tolerated in the Liberian mining sector. The future of Gbankonah and the integrity of Liberia’s resource management hang in the balance.
