MINES AND ENERGY, GIZ, IMPLEMENT ANTI-SMUGGLING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

As part of its supervision and regulation of Liberia’s Mining Sector, the Ministry of Mines and Energy has concluded a rigorous public awareness exercise on processes and procedures that allow for the handling and export of minerals from the Country by holders of Mineral Rights. The five-month long anti-smuggling campaign was carried out by the Office of Precious Minerals (OPM) of the Mines and Energy Ministry. The OPM team which implemented the activities in Gbarpolu, Lofa, Grand Cape Mount, and Nimba Counties, was headed by Rebecca Fallah, Director of the Office of Precious Minerals. The awareness focused on informing mining communities about the National Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), and give them in-depth understanding of responsible mining practices and curbing the illegal trade of Liberia’s natural resources. The initiative, which ran from February to June, 2025, was implemented by the Mines and Energy Ministry through a partnership collaboration with the German Development Agency (GIZ). The anti-smuggling of minerals awareness exercise reached out to several key mining communities including Weasua and Camp Alpha – Gbarpolu County, Lofa Bridge and Kawellahun – Grand Cape Mount County, Zorzor, Lofa County, and Zolowe and Bahn in Nimba County. The anti-smuggling messages were well coordinated with specific focus on educating artisanal miners and stakeholders in local communities about the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme which objective is to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds and ensure that mineral resources are used to support national development. Speaking about the awareness activities, Director Fallah said the Mines and Energy Ministry launched the initiative in response to growing concerns about the smuggling of precious minerals, which undermines national revenue generation and weakens the mining sector’s credibility. “Smuggling not only violates our laws, it deprives the government of critical income needed for national development. This program was about raising awareness, educating our people, and fostering collaboration to protect Liberia’s resources”, she stated. With this public outreach activity, the Ministry of Mines and Energy intends to increase public understanding of the types, uses, and value of minerals, and the legal processes involved in mining and export, thereby promoting sustainable and legal mining practices, highlighting the legal and illegal factors surrounding the mining sector. Another vital component of the anti-smuggling campaign is to encourage cooperation between government agencies, miners, and local communities in ensuring compliance with national and international standards. Outcomes of the five-month awareness among other important goals include Increased awareness about the Kimberley Process and legal mining procedures, stronger community advocacy for sustainable mining practices, and renewed commitments from local government officials and industry stakeholders to enforce mining regulations. Ms. Fallah expressed gratitude to GIZ and all partners who supported the program and emphasized the need for continued public education and enforcement to build a transparent and economically viable mining sector. On behalf of the Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, the Director of the Office of Precious Minerals, Rebecca Fallah, expressed the Ministry’s commendations to GIZ, and other partners as well as local government authorities and their community leaders, miners and the mining communities for the high level of cooperation the Ministry received during the exercise.