The Government of Liberia has launched a US$1 million project aimed at transforming the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector through formalization, stronger regulation, and improved livelihoods for thousands of miners across the country.
The initiative, known as the Formalization of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining for Peace and Security (FASMIN) Project, was officially launched Monday at the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Monrovia. The project forms part of a regional Liberia-Sierra Leone program funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group through a US$2 million grant, with Liberia receiving half of the funding for implementation.
The project is designed to tackle the long-standing challenges associated with informal mining operations, including illegal mining, unsafe working conditions, environmental degradation, and limited government revenue collection. Authorities say the initiative will also create economic opportunities by helping miners access licenses, organize into cooperatives, improve production methods, and participate more fully in the formal economy.
Launching the project on behalf of Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban, Deputy Minister for Administration Eudora Blay-Pritchard described the initiative as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to establish a safer, more transparent, and environmentally responsible mining sector.
She thanked the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund for supporting the program, noting that artisanal and small-scale mining remains a critical source of income for thousands of Liberians, particularly in rural communities where formal employment opportunities are scarce.
Despite its importance, she said the sector continues to operate largely outside formal regulatory frameworks, exposing miners to hazardous working conditions, limited access to financing, inadequate legal protections, and restricted market opportunities.
“The government’s position is clear: formalization must protect miners, improve their livelihoods, strengthen our institutions, and ensure that Liberia benefits fairly from its mineral wealth, with sound environmental stewardship,” Blay-Pritchard said.
The FASMIN Project will be implemented through three key components designed to improve governance and performance within the mining sector.
The first component focuses on strengthening regulatory institutions, particularly the Ministry of Mines and Energy and relevant environmental agencies. Under this pillar, the project will support enhanced field monitoring, improved enforcement mechanisms, and stronger management of mineral resources.
Planned interventions include the digitization of administrative and technical processes, improved field data collection systems, and the provision of modern information technology and monitoring equipment.
The second component centers on the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining operations. Through this effort, miners will receive support to obtain legal licenses, form cooperatives, adopt safer and more efficient mining methods, and gain access to training and financing opportunities.
The initiative will also promote environmental sustainability by encouraging responsible mining practices, occupational health and safety standards, and mercury-free mineral processing methods where feasible. Special attention will be placed on increasing opportunities for women, youth, and other vulnerable groups in mining communities.
The third component will focus on project management, coordination, monitoring, and accountability to ensure that resources are effectively utilized and intended outcomes achieved.
Providing an overview of the initiative, Deputy Minister for Planning, Research and Development Fahnseth B. Mulbah, who chairs the FASMIN Steering Committee, highlighted the project’s potential to address longstanding environmental, economic, and regulatory challenges in Liberia’s mining sector.
The government has outlined several ambitious goals to be achieved by the end of 2028.
Among them is increasing the number of licensed artisanal and small-scale mining operators from 300 to 500, while establishing at least 15 formally recognized mining cooperatives nationwide.
In addition, the Ministry of Mines and Energy plans to train 500 mining operators and 150 regulatory personnel as part of broader efforts to professionalize the sector and improve compliance with national regulations.
Authorities also expect the project to strengthen adherence to environmental, health, and safety standards, reduce workplace accidents, combat child labor, promote land rehabilitation in mined-out areas, and increase government revenue from mineral extraction activities.
Officials believe these measures will contribute to greater regulatory compliance, improved working conditions, and increased participation of small-scale miners in Liberia’s formal economy.
Government officials stressed that the project’s success will depend heavily on transparency, accountability, and collaboration among stakeholders.
Blay-Pritchard emphasized the need for transparent procurement processes, regular monitoring exercises, financial audits, and strict adherence to integrity standards throughout implementation.
She warned against corruption, unofficial fees, and the misuse of project resources, saying such practices could undermine the initiative’s objectives and public trust.
The Deputy Minister also urged miners and cooperative leaders to embrace formalization while encouraging women and young people to take advantage of opportunities that will emerge through the project.
Representatives from various institutions pledged support for the initiative during the launch ceremony.
Among them were Jeffrey Kwame Ahadie, speaking on behalf of the African Development Bank’s Country Manager; Madam Kpambul Turay of the Project Financial Management Unit at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning; Abraham Gappie of the Association of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners; and Jeffery Yates, Head of Secretariat of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI).
The project will be coordinated by Benedict Quato of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, who will work alongside stakeholders and members of the Steering Committee to oversee implementation.
Scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2028, the FASMIN Project represents a renewed effort by Liberia and its development partners to transform artisanal and small-scale mining into a more regulated, productive, and inclusive sector capable of contributing more effectively to employment creation, public revenue generation, and sustainable national development.
