Mining Accounts for US$432 Million of Liberia’s Revenue, LRA Chief Says

TUBMANBURG, Bomi County, Liberia — Liberia’s mining sector accounted for approximately US$432 million of the country’s reported US$1.059 billion in revenue collections as of October 8, 2026, according to Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah.

The disclosure has renewed attention on the contribution of mineral extraction to government revenue and the need to ensure that income generated from the sector supports public services, infrastructure and economic opportunities for Liberians.

Jallah made the disclosure on Friday, October 9, during the fourth edition of the Government Town Hall program, Kapa Kulono, in Tubmanburg, Bomi County. The engagement focused on transparency, value addition and the long-term fiscal impact of mining.

Speaking on a panel titled “From Extraction to Transformation: The Mining Sector’s Role in Liberia’s $1 Billion Revenue Milestone,” Jallah said Liberia crossed the US$1 billion revenue mark on September 14, with collections reaching approximately US$1.059 billion by October 8.

He attributed about 41 percent of the reported total to the mining sector, underscoring its significance to the government's revenue base.

However, the Commissioner General cautioned that some figures were still subject to reconciliation, particularly as revenue collection systems continue to be automated in areas where internet connectivity and other technical limitations affect reporting.

Jallah said domestic revenue collections had increased from approximately US$612 million in 2023 to US$700 million in 2024 and US$848 million in 2025.

For 2026, the government has set a domestic revenue target of US$1.1 billion, while the LRA projects collections could reach approximately US$1.3 billion by the end of the year.

He said government revenue supports essential services and national priorities, including road construction, education, healthcare and public sector salaries.

Revenue Figures Open to Public Scrutiny

Jallah also highlighted the LRA’s online public revenue dashboard, which he said allows citizens to track government revenue collections and download figures for independent analysis.

He encouraged journalists, civil society organizations, researchers, students and other members of the public to use the platform to examine revenue performance and strengthen public accountability.

Figures presented during the town hall showed approximately US$795 million in domestic tax collections and US$258 million in customs revenue, alongside an additional US$5 million carried forward from the previous fiscal year.

The figures require reconciliation against the LRA’s official records to establish a consistent reporting basis and clarify how the different amounts relate to the reported US$1.059 billion total.

Illegal Mining and Value Addition Remain Concerns

The discussions also addressed illegal mining, undocumented mineral production, environmental degradation and possible revenue losses associated with activities outside established regulatory systems.

Representatives of the Protect Our Resources Taskforce called for stronger enforcement and improved coordination among government institutions to address illegal operations, protect the environment and ensure compliance with the law.

Jallah stressed the need for stronger tax administration and enforcement to ensure that businesses and other economic actors meet their statutory obligations.

Meanwhile, Minister of Mines and Energy R. Matenokay Tingban emphasized the importance of moving beyond exporting raw minerals toward local processing, value addition and job creation.

The discussion placed attention on whether Liberia can translate mineral wealth and rising revenue collections into broader economic benefits, particularly for communities affected by mining operations.

Organized by the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, the Kapa Kulono town hall brought together government officials, traditional leaders, students, women’s groups, youth representatives and other community stakeholders to discuss mining, public revenue and national development.