–𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐮 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲
In a shocking revelation, Gao Feng, also known as Barry, has continued his illicit mining activities in Gbarpolu County despite a stop order from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME). The defiant action of Gao Feng, who has operated under the guise of various companies, raises significant questions about the enforcement of mining regulations and potential collusion within the current administration.
During a recent press briefing, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, addressed the on-going illegal mining situation. He said, “Our Assistant Minister for Mines and Assistant Minister for Exploration conducted a comprehensive investigation into the illicit mining operations in Gbarpolu County. The findings confirmed that Gao Feng has no valid mining licenses and is unlawfully exploiting the resources. When something is illicit, it means it does not have the right to operate!”
The investigation revealed that Gao Feng, through entities such as Urban & Rural Services Inc., Scott Investment Incorporation, and Xin Li Da Investment Development Ltd., has been conducting extensive illicit mining.
According to Hot Pepper’s investigation, in Belle Yallah Gao Feng deployed eleven excavators and seven washing plants, while in Monakorlleh he utilized six excavators and two washing plants. This large-scale illegal operation, totaling seventeen excavators and eight washing plants, has been on-going since March 2023.
Despite the ministry’s efforts to halt these activities in April 2024, Gao Feng resumed operation immediately after the investigation team left the area.
Disturbingly, it has been reported that more than nine armed police officers are stationed at these illicit mining sites, ostensibly to protect the operation.
The production output from Gao Feng’s illegal activities is staggering a minimum of 5,000 grams of gold daily in Monakorlleh, equivalent to approximately US$365,000; and a minimum of 8,000 grams of gold daily in Belle Yallah, equating to around US$583,000.
Gao Feng has allegedly claimed the title of “the real Minister of Mines and Energy” for the past six years, boldly asserting that no one in Liberia can halt his operation. His audacious statement, “I can even mine under the mansion without a license if minerals are there,” highlights the impunity with which he operates.
Over the past six years, Gao Feng has reportedly utilized multiple companies, including J.M. Mining Incorporated, Golden Trip Group Limited, and Xianshihui Mineral Development Limited, to conduct illicit mining across several counties. These operations involve more than fifty excavators and thirty washing plants in Gbarpolu, Cape Mount, Bong, Lofa, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Sinoe, and Montserrado counties.
Despite President Boakai’s administration being in office for over four months, Gao Feng continues to operate with apparent immunity, leading to speculation about who is protecting this “Real Minister” of illicit mining within the administration.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy is committed to enforcing mining regulations, and is calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into these allegations. The people of Liberia deserve transparency and accountability regarding their natural resources.
