Gborwuzohn, Kploh Chiefdom, Rivercess County — What appears to be an ordinary rural town in Rivercess County may in fact be sitting on one of Liberia’s most extraordinary untapped mineral deposits. An investigation by this paper has uncovered that the soil of Gborwuzohn is so rich in gold that residents no longer throw away sweep dirt or sand from their homes, streets, and public spaces.
During a visit to the town, this paper observed residents collecting sweep dirt into bags instead of dumping it. The bags are later taken to nearby water sources, where the soil is washed and gold is extracted. This practice, according to locals, has become a normal part of daily life.
“This is not mining in the bush; this is mining right in the town,” one resident told this paper.
Government Confirms Gold Everywhere
The astonishing claims were confirmed by Central Rivercess Statutory Superintendent Sensee Tolbert Robert, who told Verity that Gborwuzohn is sitting on widespread gold deposits.
“Gold is all over Gborwuzohn,” Robert said. “Sometimes even miners leave the bush and rush back into the town because gold can be found in the dirt right there. Dirt swept from any part of the town is kept in bags and later washed, and gold is usually discovered in it.”
According to the superintendent, the discovery has changed the behavior of residents, who now see ordinary soil as a source of income.
Town Chief Speaks
Town Chief Rose Jeboe also confirmed the situation, describing gold washing as a common survival activity in Gborwuzohn.
“If somebody is broke and needs money, all they do is sweep some dirt or collect sand, take it to the water side, and wash it for gold,” she said.
Chief Jeboe further revealed that geological assessments have reportedly confirmed that the entire town sits on gold-bearing soil. She even suggested that her own house may be built on a gold bed.
“From the front of my house alone, six bags of dirt gave us about one point five grams of gold,” she disclosed.
She added that during certain times of the year, the town’s dumping site also becomes a major gold-producing area, where residents dig to support their families.
Local Miners Share Their Experience
A local miner, Obadiah Smith, Jr., who has worked in different parts of the town, told this paper that gold can be found almost anywhere in Gborwuzohn.
“The dirt from the center of the town produces gold,” Smith said. “Sometimes we get three, four, even up to five ‘diz’ of gold.”
Smith explained that the town is so rich that people no longer need to travel far into the bush to mine. “People just sit right in the town and make money from sand or dirt,” he added.
