Liberia: Mining Destroys Proposed Wologizi Park

Why It Matters

The encroachment threatens Liberia’s climate pledge to protect 1.5 million hectares and endangers biodiversity, while exposing weak land‑rights enforcement and regulatory contradictions that could deter foreign investment and aid.

Key Takeaways

• Five mining licences overlap Wologizi proposed park
• Hong Sheng and Sprout Global hold active gold licences
• Mining cuts trees, pollutes rivers, endangers chimpanzees
• Forestry law bans mining; Minerals law permits it

Pulse Analysis

Liberia has pledged to safeguard 1.5 million hectares of forest by 2030, positioning the Wologizi landscape as a flagship for its climate ambition. The 99,538‑hectare proposed protected area, home to endangered primates, was earmarked for a US$9 million corridor that would link fragmented habitats across Lofa County. Preserving this ecosystem is critical not only for biodiversity but also for carbon sequestration, water regulation, and the livelihoods of forest‑dependent communities.

Since 2022, the Ministry of Mines and Energy awarded five mining licences that intersect the Wologizi zone, primarily to Hong Sheng Mining Company, a Chinese‑owned explorer, and Sprout Global Mining Ventures, a U.S.‑registered firm. Heavy equipment is clearing trees, contaminating streams used for drinking water, and disrupting traditional farming. Residents like Yassa Sumo and James Akoi report that the influx of “gold boys” has displaced agriculture and sparked social tension, while the companies cite a lack of clear guidance from authorities.

The episode highlights a systemic clash between Liberia’s Minerals and Mining Law, which does not recognize proposed protected areas, and its Wildlife Protected Area Management and Forestry Reform statutes that forbid such extraction. Government officials admit coordination failures and budget constraints, yet the closure order remains vague. Resolving these legal contradictions is essential for restoring investor confidence, honoring the Land Rights Act, and ensuring that conservation funding—both domestic and from NGOs—delivers on its promised environmental outcomes.