The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, has confirmed the verification of a new gold discovery made by Gem Rocks Mining Resources in Arthington, Montserrado County.
This follows a recent field visit by a high-level technical team from the Ministry as part of an ongoing process to assess mineral rights applications. The visit was triggered by a formal request from Gem Rocks—a subsidiary of Zodiac Gold, Inc.—to transition from its current exploration license to a Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).
Gem Rocks has been exploring for gold in Liberia since 2021 and recently reported promising results from its Arthington site, as well as additional exploration targets in Ben-Ben, Feh-Feh, Youth Camp, Alasala, and Alasala South. These areas, located in Montserrado and parts of western Liberia, are believed to hold significant gold deposits based on systematic geological exploration carried out by the company.
The Ministry’s technical team, led by three deputy ministers and two assistant ministers, conducted thorough inspections of core samples, trenches, drilled holes, and other exploration infrastructures. The verification also included an in-depth technical presentation from Gem Rocks’ Chief Executive Officer, David Kol, and his team of technicians. The samples and data provided were analyzed and correlated with reports from internationally recognized laboratories.
Among those on the verification team were Deputy Minister for Operations William S. Hines, Deputy Minister for Planning, Research and Development Fahnseth B. Mulbah, and Assistant Minister for Mineral Exploration and Environmental Research Oliver S. Gbegbe. They were accompanied by other key officials including Assistant Minister for Mines Carlos Edison Tingban, Liberia Geological Survey Director Anthony Kullie, and Chief Mining Engineer James Smith, among others.
According to the Ministry, this level of scrutiny is standard for any company seeking a Class ‘A’ Mining License under the Exploration Regulations of 2010 and the Minerals and Mining Law of 2000. The verification process ensures that any transition to large-scale mining is backed by credible geological data and the economic and technical capacity to conduct mineral extraction in a sustainable and responsible manner.
While the government welcomed the growing investor interest in Liberia’s mineral sector, the Ministry emphasized that the issuance of Class ‘A’ licenses requires not only geological evidence but also a proven ability to carry out environmentally sustainable and economically viable mining operations.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency and due diligence in all mineral-related transactions, as the country seeks to leverage its natural resources to boost job creation, improve living standards, and accelerate national development.
Gem Rocks is now awaiting the Ministry’s decision on its request for a Mineral Development Agreement, which, if approved, would mark a significant step forward for gold production in the region and potentially open new chapters in Liberia’s mining industry.
