By: Melvin Flomo
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – December 8, 2025 — Grand Kru County Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Concessions and Investment, Hon. Numene H. Bartekwa, has formally written the Liberian Senate, calling for urgent action against what he describes as the “uncontrollable and unregulated mining” of sand and quarry rocks across the country.
In his communication, Senator Bartekwa expressed deep concern over the increasing number of foreign nationals who acquire mining licenses and extract Liberia’s industrial minerals in large quantities without paying royalty to the government or providing any benefits to affected communities.
According to the Senator, these mining operations though legally licensed offer no meaningful economic return to the state, and worse, leave local communities facing severe environmental and health consequences.
He cited constant blasting, pollution, and the damaging impact of heavy-duty trucks transporting mining materials as major threats to the wellbeing of residents in these communities. Bartekwa lamented that while the government and locals receive nothing in return, they are forced to shoulder the burden of the deteriorating road networks and worsening health conditions caused by mining activities.
“There is a need for us to act now for the safety of our people,” the Senator warned, calling the situation “disheartening” and “regrettable.”
Sen. Bartekwa is therefore pleading with the Senate to mandate its relevant committees to engage the Ministry of Mines and Energy and other applicable agencies to ensure that all sand and rock miners, especially foreign operators, begin paying the appropriate royalties. He also wants affected host communities to receive direct benefits from the operations taking place in their areas.
The Senator expressed optimism that the plenary will take swift action on the matter and extended his highest regards to the President Pro-Tempore and his colleagues.
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