As part of its ongoing efforts to regulate and strengthen Liberia’s mining sector, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), in partnership with the German Development Agency (GIZ), has successfully concluded a five-month anti-smuggling awareness campaign aimed at educating mining communities on the legal handling and export of minerals.
The campaign, led by the Office of Precious Minerals (OPM), was conducted across Gbarpolu, Lofa, Grand Cape Mount, and Nimba Counties from February to June 2025.
The OPM team, under the leadership of Director Rebecca Fallah, engaged artisanal miners and local stakeholders in key communities including Weasua and Camp Alpha (Gbarpolu), Lofa Bridge and Kawellahun (Grand Cape Mount), Zorzor (Lofa), and Zolowe and Bahn (Nimba).
The awareness drive focused on educating communities about the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)—an international initiative designed to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds—and promoting responsible and legal mining practices.
“Smuggling not only violates our laws, it deprives the government of vital revenues needed for national development,” said Director Fallah. “This campaign was about building awareness, educating our people, and fostering collaboration to protect Liberia’s natural resources.”
The initiative addressed the growing issue of illegal mineral trade, which undermines transparency, reduces government income, and damages the credibility of Liberia’s mining sector. Through direct community engagement, the campaign aimed to:
Increase understanding of the types, uses, and value of minerals;
Promote adherence to legal mining and export procedures;
Strengthen cooperation between miners, local authorities, and government agencies;
Encourage alignment with national and international mining standards.
According to the Ministry, key outcomes of the campaign include greater public awareness of the KPCS, improved community advocacy for sustainable mining, and renewed commitments by local leaders to enforce mining regulations.
On behalf of Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye, Director Fallah expressed appreciation to GIZ, local authorities, community leaders, miners, and other stakeholders for their collaboration throughout the awareness campaign.
“We thank all our partners and the communities involved. Continued education and enforcement are critical to building a legal, transparent, and economically viable mining sector in Liberia,” she added.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to promoting responsible mineral resource management as a means to boost national development and strengthen the integrity of the sector.
