MONROVIA – The President of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, Amara KAMARA, has called on the House of Representatives to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of Liberia’s Minerals and Mining Law, warning lawmakers that limiting reforms to only Class B Mining Licenses will fail to address the deep-rooted challenges confronting the country’s mining sector.
By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpaeafricaonline.com
Appearing Wednesday before the Joint Committee on Lands, Mines and Energy, Natural Resources and Environment during a high-profile public hearing at the Capitol, KAMARA argued that Liberia has reached a defining moment where bold legislative reforms are needed to restore confidence, improve governance, and ensure the country’s vast mineral wealth translates into sustainable national development.
Addressing members of the Joint Committee, KAMARA emphasized that illegal mining, weak regulatory enforcement, environmental degradation, mineral smuggling and inconsistencies within the existing legal framework have collectively undermined the growth of Liberia’s mining industry.
He maintained that while reviewing Class B Mining Licenses is important, lawmakers should seize the opportunity to comprehensively modernize the entire Minerals and Mining Law so that it reflects present-day realities and international best practices.
“Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of this committee, the Liberia Chamber of Mines strongly believes that this legislative process should not stop at isolated amendments. Liberia deserves a modern mining law that addresses every stage of mineral development—from exploration to production, environmental protection, community participation, revenue collection and transparency. If we continue to apply temporary solutions to structural problems, we will only postpone the challenges rather than solve them.” KAMARA declared.
KAMARA further told lawmakers that the Chamber remains deeply concerned about the increasing activities of illegal miners across the country, stressing that legitimate investors who comply with Liberia’s laws continue to face unfair competition from illegal operators who evade taxes, disregard environmental regulations and operate outside government oversight.
According to him, strengthening enforcement must go hand in hand with creating a predictable legal and regulatory environment that encourages responsible investment while protecting Liberia’s natural resources for future generations.
“Responsible investors are prepared to comply with Liberia’s laws and contribute to national development, but they also expect fairness, consistency and transparency from the regulatory framework. Comprehensive reform will strengthen investor confidence, improve tax compliance, encourage local participation, reduce corruption and ensure that mining becomes a genuine engine for economic growth rather than a source of recurring conflict and environmental destruction,” KAMARA said.
The Chamber President also proposed that the revised legislation should strengthen taxation provisions, improve monitoring mechanisms, establish clearer environmental compliance standards, enhance community benefit-sharing arrangements and introduce stronger accountability measures for both government regulators and mining operators. He said such reforms would create a balanced framework capable of protecting investors while ensuring ordinary Liberians benefit from the country’s abundant mineral resources.
“This is a unique opportunity for Liberia to build a mining sector that is transparent, competitive and beneficial to every citizen. Future generations will judge the decisions made during this review process. We therefore urge this honorable House to enact reforms that will stand the test of time and position Liberia as a respected destination for responsible mining investment across Africa,” KAMARA added.
KAMARA’s presentation came during the opening day of the Joint Committee’s public hearing chaired by Representative Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Sr., who said lawmakers are seeking broad stakeholder input before recommending amendments to the Minerals and Mining Law. Representative Sokan emphasized that the review is intended to strengthen governance within the mining sector while addressing the growing threat posed by illegal mining activities across Liberia.
During the hearing, Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban also urged lawmakers to adopt tougher legal sanctions against illegal miners, improve enforcement mechanisms and strengthen cooperation among state institutions.
He warned that unauthorized mining operations continue to deprive the government of significant revenue while causing widespread environmental damage.
Meanwhile, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo called for stronger environmental protections, cautioning that illegal mining continues to destroy forests, pollute rivers and damage fragile ecosystems.
Other institutions making submissions included the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Governance Commission, the Law Reform Commission and the Central Bank of Liberia.
Following several hours of testimony and deliberations, Representative Sokan assured stakeholders that every submission — including the recommendations advanced by Amara KAMARA and the Liberia Chamber of Mines — will receive careful consideration before the committee presents its recommendations to the full House of Representatives.
The public hearing is expected to resume on July 8, 2026, as lawmakers continue deliberations on the proposed reforms to Liberia’s mining sector.
