A damning audit report released by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) has revealed that unregulated illicit river sand mining is causing significant environmental damage and negatively affecting communities across Liberia.
The report cites the lack of proper legal frameworks, monitoring mechanisms, and qualified personnel as major shortcomings in the regulation of the industry by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).
According to the Performance Audit Report on the Regulation of River Sand Mining Activities in Liberia, widespread illegal mining, environmental degradation, and lack of transparency are putting lives, properties, and ecosystems at risk-especially in communities along the St. Paul River, where riverbanks are collapsing and homes are cracking due to constant sand extraction.
“During our field verification, we observed that there were illicit mining activities on an industrious scale. There is evidence of environmental degradation in project communities and evidence of high risk,” GAC 2025, Audit Report revealed.
Communities Bear the Brunt
The GAC report highlights that during field visits, auditors observed visible signs of environmental harm, including flooding, erosion, and structural cracks in buildings.
Residents blamed the damage on the heavy equipment used by miners and the constant movement of large trucks hauling sand through residential areas.
Despite the environmental toll, the benefits of sand mining are not reaching the affected communities.
The report states that 77% of residents interviewed claimed that community leaders fail to account for royalties received from mining companies.
Many residents said they are excluded from decisions about community projects and are not informed about how funds are spent.
No Safety, No Oversight
The GAC found that mining sites lack basic safety measures, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers and warning signs for the public.
Miners were observed operating without boots, helmets, or safety vests, and no hygiene or occupational safety guidelines were posted, in violation of the Mineral and Mining Law of 2000.
Furthermore, the Ministry’s Inspectorate Division was found to be grossly understaffed and underqualified, lacking engineers, environmental scientists, and geologists necessary to assess the long-term effects of river sand mining.
The audit also noted the absence of a national “sand budget”-a crucial baseline to determine how much sand is extracted versus how much is naturally replenished.
Illegal Operations and Weak Enforcement
The report, among other things documented cases of illicit mining by individuals and companies, including Zeph-Na Liberia Inc., which was found operating without a valid license.
The GAC indicated that some companies previously licensed by the MME have failed to renew or regularize their operations yet continue to extract sand, often near critical infrastructure such as bridges and highways, increasing the risk of structural damage.
Despite the existence of some mining and environmental policies, the GAC says these are too broad and generic, with no specific laws tailored to govern river sand mining activities.
Key Recommendations from the GAC
To prevent further environmental and social harm, the GAC has issued a number of recommendations, including:
Develop Specific River Sand Mining Policies: The MME should create comprehensive regulations focused solely on river sand mining, drawing lessons from countries like Malaysia, South Africa, and India.
Improve Monitoring and Staffing: The government must fund the Bureau of Mines adequately to recruit qualified inspectors and provide logistical support. Monthly reports and strict monitoring protocols should be enforced.
Assess Sand Sustainability: MME should study Liberia’s “sand budget” to determine sustainable mining levels and ensure annual tracking of sand extraction and natural replenishment.
Ban Mining near Critical Infrastructure: Immediate action is needed to halt all sand mining near key infrastructures like the Jamaica Road Bridge and Caldwell Road.
Mandate Safety Measures: Mining companies must provide PPE, post visible safety signs, and develop hygiene and occupational safety protocols approved by the MME.
Ensure Transparency and Accountability: Community leaders must report on funds received from companies, and affected communities should have a say in how royalties are spent.
Investigate Illegal Operations: The MME should investigate companies operating without valid licenses and take appropriate legal actions.
Encourage Inter-Agency Collaboration: Regulatory bodies must work together through joint investigations, memorandums of understanding (MOUs), and research to improve oversight.
The GAC audit paints a troubling picture of river sand mining in Liberia-one marked by environmental degradation, poor governance, and community neglect.
With urgent reforms and strong enforcement, however, the government still has an opportunity to reverse the damage and make sand mining safer, more transparent, and sustainable for future generations.
