Africa-Press – Liberia. Two strategic environmental groups—Africa Environmental Watch (AEW) and Environmental Eyes Consultancy and Advocacy Firm Inc. (EECAF)—have formally requested key environmental compliance documents from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the operations of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation in Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia.
The groups’ request follows persistent reports of recurring chemical spillages, environmental contamination, and the alleged forceful relocation of residents from Jikando Village. Citing Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act, EPA Act, and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, AEW and EECAF are seeking the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to review environmental and social risks, mitigation measures, and compliance obligations tied to the mining operations.
The EPA has previously acknowledged pollution incidents between 2016 and 2023 in which cyanide levels exceeded permissible limits. In response, the agency imposed financial penalties and has since increased regulatory oversight, with enhanced monitoring and compliance inspections starting in 2024.
In a communication to EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Yarkpawolo, the organizations referenced legal provisions that guarantee public access to environmental information, underscoring the importance of transparency, community participation, and accountability in environmental governance.
The groups argue that access to the ESIA, EIS, and EMP will enable independent assessments of identified risks, approved mitigation measures, and the effectiveness of monitoring and reporting systems intended to prevent pollution and protect communities.
Referring to international standards and studies by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), AEW and EECAF warned that unaddressed mining-related chemical spills pose serious threats to water sources, soil quality, food security, and public health, especially in rural communities.
The groups also highlighted that involuntary displacement caused by environmental harm is recognized as an environmental justice issue under frameworks such as the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards and the IFC Performance Standards.
AEW and EECAF have expressed concern that the reported harm and displacement may reflect gaps in the implementation or enforcement of environmental safeguards.
The organizations urged the EPA to facilitate timely access to the requested documents, in line with national laws and Liberia’s commitment to transparency and sustainable development.
As of the time of this report, the EPA has not issued a public response to the request.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
