MONROVIA, September 7, 2026: The Government of Liberia is preparing to fully deploy a multi-agency task force to crack down on illegal mining, strengthen regulatory compliance and protect the country’s mineral resources amid concerns over illicit operations, environmental damage and revenue losses.
Deputy Information Minister for Press and Public Affairs Daniel Sanoe disclosed that the move follows a technical consultative meeting convened by the Ministry of Mines and Energy to finalize arrangements for the full implementation of the task force’s mandate.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai established the Protect Our Resources Taskforce through Executive Order No. 167 on June 26, 2026, following reports of widespread illegal mining activities in parts of the country.
The task force brings together relevant government institutions to coordinate inspections, intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring and enforcement activities across Liberia’s mining sector.
According to Sanoe, task force Chairman Ibrahim Kumar, a law enforcement officer, presented a proposed operational structure during the technical meeting, outlining the roles and responsibilities of participating institutions.
He said the structure emphasizes inter-agency coordination, intelligence and information sharing, joint enforcement operations and adherence to the statutory mandates of the institutions involved.
Sanoe said the discussions were intended to ensure that the task force operates effectively while maintaining the independence and integrity of participating agencies.
Under the proposed arrangement, cases of non-compliance identified in the mining sector will be investigated and referred through the appropriate legal channels for action in accordance with Liberia’s laws and regulations.
The task force is expected to target illicit mining activities and other regulatory violations while seeking to protect government revenue and reduce environmental damage associated with unauthorized mining operations.
Sanoe said the government also wants to ensure that the country’s mineral resources are managed in the national interest.
“As the task force moves toward full implementation, the participating institutions are expected to work collaboratively to identify and address illicit mining activities, strengthen compliance with mining regulations, protect government revenue, safeguard the environment, and ensure that Liberia’s mineral resources are managed in the national interest,” he said.
The latest technical discussions represent another step toward translating the task force’s mandate into enforcement operations across the country.
The government, however, has not announced a specific date for the start of nationwide enforcement, with Sanoe saying preparations are moving toward full operationalization.
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