MONROVIA: Several contraband materials including water pumps, air-compressors used for blasting in mining operations, and hoses have been confiscated from illicit miners in Blackie Town, and surrounding areas in Ben-Ben Town, Todee District, Montserrado County by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
A compliance enforcement team of the Mines and Energy Ministry has also confiscated keys to one excavator belonging to an individual identified as Emmanuel Yongar in the environs of Ben-Ben Town. The Mines and Energy Ministry’s enforcement team discovered that the individuals spotted on site carrying out illicit mining activities in the two mentioned locations in Todee, claiming to be miners could not display licenses (s) obtained from the Ministry (MME).
The Ministry has immediately shut down every activity of the unscrupulous individuals through a ‘Closure Order’. They will be investigated and penalized as provided for by law. Inspector Foday Varney headed the enforcement team, assisted by Inspectors Joseph Blama, and Kessely Tarwai, Jr.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy assures the public of its unwavering and robust stance against any and all acts of illicit and illegal mining, which is a gross violation of the law by evading taxes and defrauding the State of revenue needed to fund development programs.
