The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has granted China Union a temporary permit, following its closure, allowing the company to resume operations for three months.
This decision, according to an EPA release, grants China Union the opportunity to fully comply with the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia (EMPL).
According to the EPA release, the temporary permit was issued following a US$20,000 part-payment made by China Union out of a US$120,000 fine imposed on them by the EPA.
The company has also committed to adhering to the EMPL requirements.
It can be recalled that in August, the EPA ordered the closure of China Union due to the company’s failure to comply with environmental regulations.
China Union was ordered closed following its failure to adhere to EPA regulations.
Despite multiple efforts, including a field assessment at the China Union facility on June 18, 2023, the company was unresponsive to the EPA’s invitation for a technical and administrative conference scheduled for June 27, 2024.
The EPA subsequently issued a “Notice of Fine” on June 28, 2024, to China Union and other mining operations in Gbarpolu County for violations of Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law.
China Union was fined US$120,000, payable to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).
Following months of reminders from the EPA, the company failed to meet the compliance requirements.
Under Section 95, subsections h and i of the EMPL, China Union’s operations were temporarily shut down due to noncompliance, including failure to complete the required Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process and pay the imposed fine.
On September 2, 2024, China Union’s management acknowledged their violation of the EMPL and committed to achieving full compliance.
They officially appealed to the EPA for a temporary permit, seeking 3-6 months to rectify their status and achieve compliance.
The company also requested a waiver of the fine, citing their lack of active operations over the past six months and emphasizing the importance of public-private partnership.
In response to China Union’s appeal, the EPA has agreed to reopen the company under specific conditions:
The company must pay US$20,000 as part of the US$120,000 fine into the Liberia Revenue Authority’s account. This payment has been made, as evidenced by the attached LRA receipt.
A three-month temporary permit has been issued to China Union, allowing them to regularize their operations while complying with the EMPL. The receipt for the payment of the temporary permit fee is also attached.
The temporary permit is granted based on the settlement of these payments and the company’s commitment to compliance.
The EPA reaffirms its dedication to maintaining a clean, healthy, and safe environment for current and future generations. It remains resolute in enforcing Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law and ensuring that all projects requiring an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment permit adhere to the law.
