Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed heavy fines and ordered urgent remediation after investigations found environmental breaches by three major companies, including multinational miner ArcelorMittal, the agency announced Friday.
At a press briefing, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo said the enforcement action underscores a stepped-up regulatory stance under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration. “We will enforce the law without fear or favor,” he said, adding the agency will intensify investigations, increase public transparency and prioritize community protection.
ArcelorMittal Liberia — River pollution, Nimba County
EPA investigators traced sediment-laden runoff and chemical contamination in Bonla Town on October 6 to ArcelorMittal’s Yuelliton mine after heavy rains triggered a collapse of overburden stockpiles. Laboratory analyses detected elevated iron, lead, selenium and chromium levels that exceed national water-quality standards.
The EPA also found the company failed to notify authorities and affected communities within the mandated 72-hour window and lacked an adequate early-warning system for blasting operations.
Penalty: $125,000 fine payable to the government account, plus a $60,000 fee to fund independent environmental research. ArcelorMittal has 10 business days to comply or face further enforcement.
Monrovia Breweries Incorporated — Waste mismanagement, Bomi County
Following community complaints from Blagai and Karnga towns earlier this year, EPA inspections identified poor handling of brewers’ spent grain, inadequate site fencing and uncontrolled leachate contaminating nearby wetlands and creeks. The agency said Monrovia Breweries failed to implement agreed corrective measures by an August 2025 deadline.
Penalty: $20,000 fine plus a $5,000 restoration monitoring fee. An Environmental Restoration Order issued on October 16 mandates safe waste removal, containment systems, land rehabilitation and community compensation. Noncompliance could result in suspension or revocation of the firm’s environmental permit.
Elsin Transport & Logistics — Unauthorized waste disposal, Monrovia area
In September, Elsin offloaded 17 containers of palm kernel shells imported from Nigeria. The EPA had instructed the company to store the material pending approved disposal, but a joint inspection found two containers had been illicitly dumped at the Wein Town landfill without EPA supervision.
Penalty: $8,000 administrative fine. Remediation: Elsin has contracted a certified waste management firm to operate under EPA oversight. The company has 10 business days to meet compliance requirements or face additional sanctions.
Broader agenda and capacity boost
Dr. Yarkpawolo framed the sanctions as part of a broader push to hold businesses accountable and meet Liberia’s climate and environmental commitments. He highlighted Liberia’s Updated NDC 3.0 — which sets a target of a 64% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, including a 10% unconditional cut and a 54% conditional reduction contingent on international support.
The EPA also announced the arrival of a €100,000 elemental analyzer donated by the International Atomic Energy Agency to strengthen water-quality and marine research capacity. Liberia will present its ARREST Agenda, climate goals and an “Atlas of Natural Beauty and Wonders” at its national pavilion at COP30 in Brazil next month.
“These cases send a clear message: environmental violations will not be tolerated,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said, while praising compliant businesses and international partners. The EPA said it will continue investigations into reported breaches and provide public updates in the coming months.
