Africa-Press – Liberia. The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has received modern X-ray fluorescent (XRF) analyzing equipment from the Quetz Mining Company and Glorious Mining, providing geologists with enhanced capabilities for on-site research and analysis of black mineral sand.
This donation, costing between US$25,000 and US$30,000, marks the first corporate gesture under Minister Wilmot Paye’s administration. Terreutius Collins, the Chief Executive Officer of Quetz Mining Company, handed over the XRF machine to the Mines and Energy Ministry, expressing a commitment to supporting Liberia’s growth and development.
The device, which aids the Geological section in analyzing minerals extracted from heavy sand mining, was received by Deputy Minister Eudora Blay-Pritchard on behalf of Minister Wilmot Paye.
Deputy Minister Blay-Pritchard expressed gratitude for the timely donation, highlighting the importance of such equipment to simplify the work of Engineers at the Ministry. With Liberia being a coastal country, Blay-Pritchard said the need for more of such simple machines to ease the work of Engineers at the Mines and Energy Ministry cannot be overemphasized.
She called on other companies involved with mining minerals here to emulate the example of Terreutius Collins and look in the direction of assisting the Ministry of Mines and Energy where necessary.
The XRF machine was placed on display, and presented to Deputy Minister Eudora Blay-Pritchard, for onward submission to the Director of the Liberia Geological Survey (LGS), Jefferson T. Chea, who immediately test-operated it on a quantity of available heavy black sand. The instrument performed real-time analysis of the sand mineral in the presence of those who attended the brief ceremony.
“We are so grateful for your partnership in making a difference,” Deputy Minister Eudora Blay-Pritchard concluded.
Assistant Minister Oliver Gbegbe, emphasizing the need for accurate determination of mineral quality, anticipates a positive impact with the XRF machine now available, streamlining the process of analyzing heavy black sand minerals.
Now with the availability of the equipment, Assistant Minister Gbegbe noted that there will be a positive change in ensuring the right thing is done.
During a brief ceremony, the XRF machine was tested on a sample of sand by the Director of the Liberia Geological Survey, Jefferson T. Chea, demonstrating its operational efficiency. The collaboration between Quetz Mining Company, Glorious Mining, and the MME is aimed at advancing mineral research and analysis capabilities in Liberia.
It could be recalled the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently fined Quetz Mining Company a combined sum of US$15,998 for operating without an environmental permit, and a restoration plan for its mines.
Quetz Mining Company ran two mines in Brewerville and Royesville for nearly two years without the permit, the EPA said in a report following a preliminary investigation.
The investigation, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Acting EPA Executive Director noted, followed a media publication (The DayLight), which showed Quetz had no license for a pair of zircon sand mines in the Montserrado communities.
The publication revealed the Brewerville mine had a plant where zircon sand was transported from Royesville with the involvement of residents.
The plant processed the zircon sand—a mineral used in the ceramics industry. Mineworkers placed the sand in 25-kilogram bags and then transported them elsewhere for export.
EPA fined Quetz US$2,999 for mining without an environmental permit. It ordered the company to present a US$12,999 plan to restore the environment where it worked, according to the report.
The report also found that the miners were less than a kilometer from the beach, impacting houses closest to its illegal operations. It said Quetz encouraged residents to engage in sand mining, outlawed since 2012 to curb countrywide coastline loss.
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