-As EPA Shuts Down Green Forest Mining Over Environmental Violations
MONROVIA — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has arrested multiple Chinese operators and ordered the immediate closure of all operations at Green Forest Camps 1, 2, and 3 in Montserrado County Electoral District #1 following allegations of severe environmental degradation and pollution linked to the company’s mining activities.
The enforcement action occurred during the EPA’s ongoing Nationwide Environmental Compliance Monitoring Exercise after inspectors visited two operational camps and reportedly discovered extensive environmental destruction.
The EPA issued three separate enforcement notices against Green Forest: a halt order for environmental pollution, a non-compliance notice for operating without an environmental permit, and an immediate closure order affecting all company operations. Officials served the notices through the company’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chris Zanga.
Speaking on the matter, EPA Director of Environmental Research and Radiation Safety, Rafael Sarji Ngumbu, said the company’s operations have caused serious environmental degradation and now pose threats to nearby communities, public health, and surrounding ecosystems.
Director Ngumbu further stated that Green Forest allegedly commenced and continued large-scale exploitation activities without securing the required Environmental Permit from the EPA, a violation of Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law.
According to the EPA, the alleged violations fall under Sections 56, 69, 90, and 109 of the law, with potential penalties including heavy fines and possible imprisonment for environmental offenses.
As part of the agency’s enforcement measures, the EPA ordered Green Forest to immediately cease all operations, including activities involving processing plants and heavy-duty machinery. The agency also directed the company to begin environmental restoration and remediation efforts within seven working days and to submit a remediation plan for review and monitoring.
Additionally, the company must fully engage the EPA permitting process and comply with all environmental regulations before any future consideration of its operations.
The EPA noted that the action forms part of a broader nationwide campaign aimed at strengthening environmental compliance, combating illegal and unsustainable mining activities, and protecting Liberia’s environment and communities from environmental harm.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia is the principal government authority mandated to protect the environment, conserve biodiversity, and regulate sustainable natural resource management. Established in 2003, it enforces environmental compliance across key sectors like mining and manufacturing, and coordinates national climate policies.
It was established by an Act of the National Legislature on November 26, 2002, and published into handbill on April 30, 2003. Its creation followed the adoption of Liberia’s National Environmental Policy, which called for a centralized institution to oversee environmental governance and support sustainable development.
The EPA plays a central role in overseeing Liberia’s extractive industries, particularly mining, where environmental risks such as water contamination and toxic waste discharge have been documented. Investigations and international reporting have highlighted pollution incidents linked to gold mining operations, raising concerns about environmental oversight and public health impacts.
For years, it has carried out a series of enforcement actions against several companies for environmental violations, including fines, remediation orders, and compliance directives. The EPA also plays a role in broader environmental governance, including rainforest conservation. Liberia contains one of the largest remaining portions of the Upper Guinean rainforest, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot and carbon sink.
It regulates activities that affect forest ecosystems, including mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development, through environmental impact assessments and enforcement of environmental laws. Liberia has introduced policies aimed at protecting its rainforests while supporting local livelihoods, including community forestry initiatives that grant local populations rights to manage forest land.
