A thorough investigation conducted by Verity News has uncovered an alleged mining scandal involving Sinoe County Senator, Cryton O. Duncan, as a legal representative, and Liberian Ambassador to China, D. Mckinley Thomas, as a witness.
The Mining Agreement dated Mach 7, 2024 was signed by and between Senator Crayton O. Duncan of Liberia Geneva Mining Incorporated and CEO Zhong Nuo Ji of Ningbo Green Port International Trade Company Limited.
The Liberian Ambassador to China, D. Mckinley Thomas, affixed his signature as a witness to this mining agreement.
The 2000 New Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia prohibits a sitting lawmaker and other senior officials of government, including Representatives, Senators, President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justices, Judges of Courts of Record, Cabinet Ministers, and Managing Directors among others from getting involved with mining activities, transactions, and agreements.
“The President of Liberia, Vice President, Members of the Legislature, Justices of the Supreme Court, Judges of Subordinate Courts of Record, Cabinet Ministers, and Managing Directors of Public Corporations during their tenure shall not be eligible to be holders of Mining licenses/rights or be involved with mining transactions/agreements.
In the event that any of the foregoing persons was already a holder of a mineral right prior to assuming the functions of the office, then such person may either dispose of such mineral right or place such mineral right in a Blind Trust.” New Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia, Chapter 4, Section 2(f), Approved April 3, 2000
In sharp violation of this established statute and with evidence in our possession, Senator Duncan has entered into a mining deal with a Chinese-based Company, Ningbo Green Port International Trade Company Limited.
The agreement, which is translated into both English and Chinese, describes Senator Duncan as “Party A” and CEO Zhong Nuo Ji as “Party B”.
According to the agreement, Party ‘A’ will provide mining resources with legal exploration certificates, mining certificates, and market sales certificates for Party ‘B’.
The named Liberian mining sites in the agreement include Sanquien, Cape Mount, Bogonjlay, and Tatweh. Party ‘A’ has a 33% share while Party ‘B’ has a 67% share according to the mining agreement.
“Party ‘A’ Liberia Geneva Mining Inc. will provide mining resources with legal exploration certificates, mining certificates, and market sales certificates for Party ‘B’.
The mining sites are located at Sanquien, Cape Mount, Bogonjlay, and Tatweh. Party ‘B’ Ningbo Green Port Company will provide engineers, all necessary engineering equipment, and employee accommodation.
Party ‘B’ as the investor holds 67% absolute ownership while Party ‘A’ holds 33% absolute ownership.” Representative Crayton O. Duncan (Party ‘A’), CEO Zhong Nuo Ji (Party ‘B’), and Liberian Ambassador to China D. McKinley Thomas
The agreement further stated, “Party ‘A’ and ‘B’ shall not breach this agreement within four years after the signing. During this period, Party ‘A’ is not allowed to do business with a third party.
Any matter not covered shall be resolved through consultation between two parties, and the Chinese Court shall have the final power of interpretation.”
The latest move by Senator Duncan and Ambassador Mckinley Thomas raises more concerns about the government’s sincerity to stamp out conflict of interest, political corruption, and influence peddling.
The Amended Investment Law of 2010 gives the National Investment Commission (NIC) the authority to attract, promote, facilitate, and coordinate investment-related activities across all sectors of the Liberian economy, including the mining sector.
Speaking with Verity News, some legal and political analysts believe that Senator Duncan’s illegal and transactional mining pursuit, which allegedly violates the 2000 Mining Law of Liberia and the 2010 Amended Investment Law, is not just grave but warrants impeachment.
All eyes will now be on the National Legislature to see what they would do to make Senator Duncan account for such a flagrant violation.
