Liberia Seeks Mining Law Reform to Ensure Mineral Wealth Benefits Citizens

Liberia is seeking to reform its mining laws to ensure the country’s mineral wealth contributes more directly to job creation, community development, public services, and economic growth.

The proposed reform is expected to address gaps in the country’s mining regulations and strengthen protections for communities affected by mining, as government, civil society, and development partners call for a legal framework that balances investment with the interests of Liberians.

The issue was discussed at a multi-stakeholder dialogue in Monrovia on October 21, organized by the CSO Consortium on Minerals, Mining, and Inclusive Sustainable Development.

Thomas B. Kanneh, Senior Economist with the Liberia Compact Development Team, said clear and predictable mining laws are essential to attracting responsible investors who can help develop the country’s mineral resources.

“You’re not going to get responsible investment until there’s predictability around your legal and regulatory regime,” Kanneh said.

He disclosed that mining law reform is among the areas being considered under Liberia’s second Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, alongside geological surveys and efforts to strengthen institutions responsible for regulating the mining sector.

The proposed initiatives could help improve knowledge of Liberia’s mineral deposits, strengthen oversight, and create a more predictable environment for investment. However, the developmental benefits will depend on how reforms are implemented and whether they ensure that investment translates into opportunities for Liberians.

Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Cllr. Bornor Varmah, said Liberia needs a comprehensive mining law that reflects developments in other areas of natural resource governance, including land rights, environmental protection, and community participation.

“Liberia does not need another patch. No, Liberia needs a modern, comprehensive, and harmonized mining law,” Varmah said.

He explained that several laws introduced or revised over the past two decades have strengthened the legal framework for land rights, community interests, and transparency in natural resource management, but the mining sector has not adequately incorporated these developments.

Varmah said the proposed reform should protect communities whose customary lands are affected by mining, strengthen transparency in mining agreements and revenue management, improve environmental safeguards, and provide better protections for workers.

He also emphasized that community consultations must be meaningful and take place before major decisions are made.

“The rights Liberians have won over their customary land must be fully honoured in mining consultation, and must be genuine, informed, and timely, not a formality completed after the decisions have already been made,” he said.

For communities hosting mining operations, the proposed changes could be important in ensuring that decisions about their land and resources take their interests into account. Stronger safeguards could also help address concerns about environmental damage and the distribution of benefits from mining activities.

Meanwhile, Silas Siakor, representative of the CSO Consortium, said the dialogue was intended to build agreement on how Liberia can better manage its mineral wealth for the benefit of its citizens.

“The reason why we are convening today is against the backdrop that we would like to see [mining] deliver on its own potential for Liberia and for Liberians,” Siakor said.

He acknowledged mining as an important source of government revenue and employment but stressed that the sector needs stronger laws and accountability systems to realize its full development potential.

“We all want to see the country reap the maximum possible benefit from the mineral sector,” Siakor added.

Development partners also called for reforms that ensure mining contributes to national development while protecting the rights and livelihoods of affected communities.

Godo E. Kolubah Sr., Program Adviser at the Embassy of Ireland, speaking on behalf of development partners, said Liberia’s mineral sector holds significant potential for jobs, revenue, and broader economic development.

He stressed that citizens should be able to know what mining agreements provide, how much revenue is generated, and what payments are made, so that the country’s mineral wealth can contribute to public services, roads, and employment.

Kolubah also called for stronger environmental protection, meaningful community participation, and greater inclusion of women and marginalized groups in mining decisions and benefits.

He said Ireland remains committed to supporting Liberia’s governance efforts, including work with the legislature to strengthen its technical capacity to review concession agreements.

The dialogue took place ahead of the Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference, scheduled for October 28–29.

While the proposed reforms are intended to improve the management of Liberia’s mineral resources, their long-term developmental impact will depend on the strength of the final law, effective enforcement, transparent revenue management, and whether mining communities and ordinary Liberians see tangible benefits.