River Gee County Senator Francis Saidy Dopoh II has submitted a bill seeking to amend Liberia’s Mining and Minerals Law of 2000, with a focus on regulating and formalizing the country’s gold sector.
The proposed Gold Sector Reform Amendment Act of 2026, introduced during the April 16 sitting of the Senate’s Special Session, is awaiting second reading.
The bill outlines measures to formalize artisanal and small-scale gold mining through new licensing categories, including Artisanal Gold Mining Licenses and Small-Scale Gold Mining Licenses, which would be reserved for Liberian citizens.
It also requires miners to operate under registered cooperatives within 24 months.
Under the proposal, the government will designate specific Artisanal Gold Mining Zones to protect small-scale operators from large concession holders.
The legislation further mandates that gold must be refined locally before export, except under limited exemptions. It also provides for the licensing of gold refineries and offers incentives such as tax relief and duty exemptions to encourage local processing.
To regulate trade, the bill calls for the establishment of Licensed Gold Trading Centers across the country. All gold transactions would be required to pass through these centers or licensed dealers. A national traceability system is also proposed to monitor gold production and exports.
Additionally, the bill seeks to establish a state-owned National Gold Company of Liberia to participate in gold purchasing, refining, and export. It proposes government equity of at least 10 percent in large-scale mining operations.
The fiscal provisions include royalty rates of 3 percent for artisanal miners, 5 percent for small-scale miners, and up to 10 percent for large-scale operators. Export levies are set at 10 percent for raw gold and 3 percent for refined gold.
The Central Bank of Liberia would also be mandated to purchase gold locally to support national reserves.
The bill includes environmental measures, including the phased elimination of mercury in mining, and requires community development agreements between operators and affected communities.
Penalties for illegal mining and smuggling include fines, imprisonment, and asset seizure.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the bill aims to reduce informality in the gold sector, increase government revenue, and improve transparency.
The Senate is expected to deliberate the bill in the coming sittings.
