The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has ordered the immediate shutdown of all operations connected to Green Forest Camps 1, 2, and 3 following what the agency described as “massive environmental degradation and pollution” caused by the company’s mining activities.
The company is located in Montserrado County Electoral District #1.
The enforcement action was taken during the ongoing Nationwide Environmental Compliance Monitoring Exercise after EPA inspectors visited two of the company’s operational camps and observed severe environmental destruction linked to the company’s activities.
According to the EPA, three separate enforcement notices were issued against the company, including a halt order for environmental pollution, a non-compliance notice for operating without an environmental permit, and an immediate closure order covering all operations associated with Green Forest.
The notices were officially served to the company through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chris Zanga.
EPA Director of Environmental Research and Radiation Safety Rafael Sarji Ngumbu, the company’s operations have caused extensive environmental degradation and pose serious risks to nearby communities, public health, and surrounding ecosystems.
He further noted that Green Forest had commenced and continued large-scale exploitation activities without obtaining the required Environmental Permit from the EPA, in violation of Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law.
According to the Director Ngumbu, the violations fall under Sections 56, 69, 90, and 109 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law, with possible penalties including fines and imprisonment for environmental offenses.
As part of the enforcement measures, the company has been ordered to immediately cease all operations, including processing plant activities and the use of heavy machinery.
The EPA also instructed the company to begin full environmental restoration and remediation efforts within seven working days and submit a remediation plan to the agency for review and monitoring.
Additionally, Green Forest has been directed to fully engage the EPA permitting process and comply with all environmental regulations before any future consideration regarding its operations.
The enforcement action forms part of the EPA’s broader nationwide effort to strengthen environmental compliance, combat illegal and unsustainable mining practices, and protect Liberia’s environment and communities from environmental harm.
