By Bill W. Cooper
Several residents in Ganta’s Valley Community in Nimba County are calling for urgent action against dangerous illicit mining activities that are posing threats to their lives and the environment in that part of the county.
The aggrieved residents also called on the government through the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) to ensure immediate action to tackle the continuous rampant illicit sand and rock mining, which is posing life-threatening risks and disrupting agriculture activities in that part of Liberia.
They also expressed their concerns about the negative impacts of these activities on their health, livelihoods, and the overall well-being of the community and said the situation has had a hazardous impact on children, while citing several fatalities over the years.
Illegal mining in Liberia has been a longstanding issue in especially on some minerals rich counties, with many individuals and groups engaging in the extraction of minerals without proper authorization or adherence to environmental regulations.
This situation has since led to widespread environmental degradation, including deforestation, water pollution, and soil erosion while also contributing to the drastic effect on agricultural activities in those affected counties.
But residents, through their community chairperson, Sampson Saye, said as a result of the situation, normal farming and other major activities especially in swampland areas, have been halted due to the unchecked mining activities.
According to him, the illegal mining activities have also resulted in the destruction of farmlands, water sources, and forests, which are essential for their survival, thus raising concerns about the use of harmful chemicals such as mercury and cyanide in the extraction process, which pose a serious health risk to both the miners and the surrounding communities.
In addition to the environmental and health concerns, Saye further highlighted the social and economic impact of illegal mining in the area as well as the increase in crime, violence, and social unrest as a result of the influx of miners and the competition for resources.
He reiterated that the illegal mining activities have also disrupted traditional livelihoods, such as farming and fishing, leading to a loss of income and food security for many families, calling on the MME to take immediate action to address the issue of illegal mining in Nimba.
They are at the same time demanding stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, as well as the implementation of measures to prevent further environmental degradation and protect the rights of the affected communities.
Also, an ex-farmer, Theresa Sayemie emphasized the complete cessation of farming due to the destructive mining practices and urged authorities to eliminate illegal operations, stressing for government intervention to restore safety and support livelihood for residents of the area.
Meanwhile, the residents have so warned that they will continue to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit mining and the need for urgent action to address the issue as means of protecting their Community and wellbeing.
They are pleading with the government to prioritize the protection of the environment and the well-being of the community, and to ensure that those responsible for illegal mining are held accountable for their actions.
