MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Minister of Mines and Energy has, with immediate effect, halted all mining operations in Duogbo City, Grand Kru County, after a compliance team dispatched to the area confirmed massive illicit mining activities in the middle of the city.

According to a Mines and Energy Ministry release, the latest closure order marks the second time the ministry has taken such action, after the previous one issued early this year was ignored.

The release said to aid the work of the state security agencies in watching over the latest halt to mining activities in the area, the mayor of the city, Augustine Negba, and the Youth Vice President, Folley Odaba, attested to the closure order.

The action is intended to protect the environment, ensure full adherence to the Minerals and Mining Law and the Exploration Regulations, and hold unscrupulous individuals fully accountable for wanton acts of violations punishable by law.

According to findings from a compliance enforcement team led by Chief Mining Engineer James Smith, the illicit mining operations in Duogbo City are causing severe land disturbance with large pits excavated by heavy earth-moving machines.