The Liberian government, in a proactive move to ensure compliance within its mining sector, recently conducted a thorough two-day assessment of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation’s (BMMC) operations. This assessment, part of a broader government strategy to monitor concessions, targeted BMMC’s gold production, processing, and export procedures at its Kinjor site in Grand Cape Mount County. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia and ensuring all mineral rights holders operate within established legal frameworks. This particular assessment focused on BMMC’s adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to gold exportation, a crucial aspect of ensuring transparency and accountability within the industry.
A high-level delegation comprising twenty officials from key government agencies, including the Ministries of Mines and Energy, Finance and Development Planning, State for Presidential Affairs, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Central Bank of Liberia, spearheaded the assessment. This inter-agency collaboration highlights the government’s integrated approach to oversight within the mining sector. The delegation’s presence on-site allowed for a firsthand examination of BMMC’s operations, from smelting and packaging to weighing and storage of gold. Furthermore, their presence at Roberts International Airport provided an opportunity to observe and review the company’s gold export procedures, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the entire process.
The on-site inspection at BMMC’s Kinjor facility provided the delegation with a crucial opportunity to observe the practical implementation of the company’s gold processing and handling procedures. The team meticulously examined the smelting process, where raw gold ore is refined into its purer form. This step is critical in determining the overall value and quality of the extracted gold. The delegation also scrutinized the packaging process, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to secure the gold and prevent any losses during transit. Furthermore, the team observed the weighing and storage procedures, two crucial steps in accurately quantifying the gold production and ensuring its safekeeping before export.
The subsequent visit to Roberts International Airport (RIA) extended the assessment beyond the mining site, encompassing the critical export phase. At RIA, the delegation focused on reviewing the documentation and procedures associated with gold exportation. This included verifying the accuracy of declared quantities and values against the physical gold being shipped. The team also examined the security protocols in place to safeguard the gold during transit and ensure its safe arrival at its destination. By observing the export process firsthand, the delegation gained valuable insights into BMMC’s compliance with international trade regulations and best practices.
Leading the delegation were Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, and LRA Commissioner General, Dorbor Jallah. Both officials emphasized the importance of this compliance visit as a starting point for similar assessments across all mining companies operating in Liberia. This commitment to comprehensive oversight signals a strong message of accountability and transparency within the mining sector. Ministers Paye and Jallah’s joint leadership underscores the collaborative nature of this initiative, bringing together the expertise of both the mining and revenue authorities. Their statements reinforced the message that no mining company will be exempt from these rigorous compliance checks.
The government’s message to BMMC and other mining companies is clear: adherence to the MDA’s SOPs is non-negotiable. While the government remains committed to fostering a conducive investment environment, this commitment goes hand-in-hand with the expectation of strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The ultimate goal is to ensure that Liberia’s mineral resources are managed responsibly and contribute to the country’s sustainable development. This assessment serves as a clear demonstration of the government’s resolve to strengthen governance within the mining sector and maximize its benefits for the Liberian people. By enforcing compliance and promoting transparency, the government aims to build a mining sector that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
