The intensity of flooding and erosion during rainy season around Liberia is often blamed on the matter of climate change, but   there are evidences in this report showing how inland (community) and secret beach sand mining are mounting the risk of flood and erosion around Liberia. Findings in this report are based more on study conducted within Montserrado.

Between 2008-2013, several complain went to the Ministry of Lands Mines and Energy from citizens about illicit sand mining.  Civil society organizations and community groups have made several attempts to provide public awareness against these activities in Liberia, unfortunately, all attempts  have failed due to  lack of existence or credible information  on sand mining.

In early June 2014, my institution decided to conduct a study and report on sand mining in Liberia. NRRI assigned team of young researchers headed by me the research analyst to engage government ministries, local governments, the LEITI, companies and communities to identify and gather information or concerns surrounding sand mining. So far, the team has completed three months of research activities out of six months.

Results from these studies have revealed that the Ministry of Land Mines and Energy itself is yet to put into place direct law or regulations to govern the sanding mining sector. However, as of August 2014, eight (8) Class ?B? Licenses were awarded to river sand mining entities by the Ministry of Lands Mines and Energy as accredited sand miners in Liberia. Moreover, in 2012 the ministry issued a statement stopping all beaches sand mining activities throughout Liberia.  Under the statement, the Ministry of Lands Mines and Energy also considered all beach sand mining after 2012 as illegal activities.

Despite these steps made by the Ministry, there are still problems in the sectors. Secret beaches and inland (community) sand mining are still continuing in Monrovia, causing erosion in many places. Though communities within river sand mining areas have complained about damages caused by sand mining companies in their area, the ministry has failed to consult them during the award of Class ?B? Licenses that give companies the rights to mine sand within their area.

These are just preliminary findings and I promise to make available the final report from our research once published to the Liberian public.

REF:

Natural Resources Research Initiative (NRRI) Liberia