Africa-Press – Liberia. The Government of Liberia has revoked the operating permit of Bao Chico Resources Liberia Limited, a Hong Kong-based mining company operating in Gbarpolu County, following a directive from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai amid mounting concerns from local communities over environmental degradation, infrastructure damage, and road safety violations.
The announcement was made Thursday by Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah during a regular press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT).
“The president ordered the revocation of the operating permit of Bao-Chico, a mining company in Gbarpolu County, and the permit has since been revoked,” Minister Piah stated.
The move follows weeks of escalating complaints from residents, local chiefs, and community leaders in Gbarpolu County, who accused the company of reckless mining practices and unauthorized use of public roadways.
It can be recalled that residents from District 17 in Montserrado County, along with citizens from Bomi and Gbarpolu Counties, have voiced grievances in recent months regarding the company’s use of heavy-duty trucks that damaged roads and posed traffic hazards. Additional concerns centered around the degradation of community health and safety due to the company’s mining operations.
Minister Piah emphasized that the Boakai administration is committed to a “people-first” agenda and that no entity—whether foreign or domestic—will be permitted to operate in a manner that undermines the dignity and wellbeing of the Liberian people.
“This government has listened,” Piah stated. “President Boakai remains committed to a governance agenda that upholds the values of accountability, public safety, and environmental protection.”
The Minister also extended gratitude to the communities that raised their voices, underscoring the importance of civic vigilance in a functioning democracy.
At the center of the controversy were reports of infrastructure damage and fatal incidents involving the company’s iron ore trucks traversing local roads ill-suited for heavy-duty transport.
“There were reports of severe casualties caused by trucks carrying iron ore belonging to Bao-Chico,” Piah revealed. “The situation is alarming and unacceptable.”
A sectoral meeting held at the Executive Mansion on Wednesday, which included officials from relevant line ministries and agencies, confirmed that Bio-Chico had been transporting iron ore using public roads without the required permits.
“It was established that the company did not have a permit to use the road network for trucking its ore,” Piah added. “This is a clear violation of the law, and the government cannot stand idly by while our people are endangered.”
Bao-Chico entered Liberia around 2010 as part of a wave of Chinese mining interests targeting iron ore deposits in the country’s western corridor. The company first established its presence in Bomi County, conducting geological assessments and forging ties with local authorities and traditional leaders. It later expanded into Gbarpolu County, where it began full-scale iron ore exploration and mining under a Mineral Exploration License granted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
In its early years, Bao-Chico promised to bring jobs, infrastructure development, and social services to remote communities in Bomi and Gbarpolu. The company constructed access roads, renovated some public facilities, and engaged in limited corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. However, community members began raising concerns as the company’s operations intensified.
“At first, we welcomed them,” said a resident of Henry Town in Bomi County, who requested anonymity. “But over time, we started to see how their trucks were destroying our roads and polluting our streams.”
According to local accounts, several incidents involving Bao-Chico’s heavy trucks resulted in injuries and at least one confirmed death along the Bomi-Gbarpolu corridor. Complaints were formally submitted to local government authorities, traditional leaders, and eventually escalated to national-level officials.
“The elders and the youth groups spoke many times, but nothing was done,” said Chief Moses Nyan, a traditional leader from Gbarpolu. “We asked them to fix the roads, to slow the trucks down, to protect our people. They didn’t listen.”
The tipping point came earlier this month when community youth groups blocked mining access roads in protest, demanding that the government intervene.
President Boakai’s action signals a tougher stance on mining companies operating in disregard of environmental and safety regulations. The administration has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights and wellbeing of Liberian citizens—especially those in rural communities where concessions operate.
“This decision sends a message to all concessionaires: the days of impunity are over,” said Minister Piah. “You cannot exploit our natural resources while leaving our people to suffer.”
The Ministry of Mines and Energy has been instructed to review all mining permits and concessions to ensure full compliance with national laws. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to conduct a detailed environmental audit of Bao-Chico’s former sites to assess the level of degradation and recommend possible remediation.
The Liberian government has yet to disclose whether Bao-Chico will face legal penalties or be required to pay compensation for the damage caused. However, Minister Piah assured that the administration will take all necessary measures to ensure justice for affected communities.
At the same time, former Senate Pro Tempore Armah Zolu Jallah has welcomed President Joseph Boakai’s decisive action to suspend the mining license of Bao Chico Resources Liberia Ltd, calling it a bold and commendable step toward restoring accountability in Liberia’s extractive sector.
In a follow-up statement issued today, Jallah thanked the President for responding to public concerns and community grievances but stressed that the suspension alone is not enough. He called on the government to go further by investigating and prosecuting those responsible for violating Liberia’s mining laws, both within the company and in the institutions meant to regulate it.
“We are grateful for the suspension of Bao Chico’s license. This shows that His Excellency is listening to the people,” Jallah stated. “But the damage already done to communities, private property, and the environment demands more. Those who breached the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), ignored community obligations, or enabled illegal operations must be brought to book.”
Jallah is also calling for a forensic audit of Bao Chico’s operations, focusing on: Compliance with the MDA, Payments due to the government and communities, Compensation for landowners and affected residents.
Additionally, the former Senate leader sounded the alarm on several Chinese-owned mining companies operating under Class B and C licenses, which, according to him, are illegally conducting industrial-scale operations without proper oversight from the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
“The continued misuse of Class C and B licenses by foreign operators, particularly Chinese entities, is a blatant abuse of our laws. We must not allow artisanal licenses to serve as a cover for commercial exploitation,” Jallah said.
He urged President Boakai to establish a high-level task force to review license compliance, penalize violators, and recommend regulatory reforms.
“This moment presents an opportunity for Liberia to reset its mining governance in the interest of its people. The law must apply equally — to companies, to regulators, and to enablers,” he concluded.
Jallah reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for resource justice, community empowerment, and the rule of law.
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