EPA Shuts Down Two Companies in Liberia for Environmental Violations

August 29, 2024– The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has shut down two companies for violating the country’s Environmental Protection and Management Law.

The companies affected are China Union Company, an iron ore mining operation in Bong Mines, and the Grandma Mineral Water factory located in Jacob’s Town, Paynesville.

According to Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, the EPA’s Director General, the decision to close China Union was made on August 28, 2024, following a series of environmental infractions.

The violations included operating without an effluent discharge license, transporting ores via the Bong Mines railway without an environmental mitigation plan, and constructing a new processing plant and a medium tailings processing plant without the necessary environmental permits. The company was also cited for the unregulated discharge of tailings into nearby wetlands.

These actions, Dr. Yarkpawolo stated, breached several sections of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia, including Sections 6, 15, 24, 27, 57, 58, 105, and 112. The EPA initially issued a notice of violation and a fine amounting to USD 120,000 to China Union on June 28, 2024.

However, the company failed to respond or comply with the EPA’s directives.When China Union did not address the violations by the given deadline of August 8, 2024, the EPA sent a second communication, urging the company to comply with the fine and begin remedial actions.

In light of the company’s persistent non-compliance and refusal to engage with the EPA, the agency proceeded to shut down China Union’s operations under Section 38 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act.

In a separate action, the EPA also closed down the Grandma Mineral Water factory on August 6, 2024, in collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).

A joint inspection conducted between July 29 and August 2, 2024, revealed significant violations of environmental and public health standards at the facility.During the inspection, it was discovered that the Grandma Mineral Water factory was operating without the necessary permits from both the EPA and NPHIL.

Additionally, the facility was found to be unhygienic, with laboratory tests showing that the water produced was unsafe for human consumption.

Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that the EPA is committed to ensuring that all water production facilities in Liberia adhere to strict safety and hygiene standards. He urged all water production companies to obtain the necessary permits and maintain proper sanitary conditions to safeguard public health.

Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to the Liberian National Police for their support in enforcing the closure orders and reaffirmed the EPA’s dedication to protecting the environment and public health in Liberia.