Scoping Study on the Mining Sector (Liberia)

Mac-Africa Consultants Inc., a wholly Liberian owned and operated environmental, geological and mining consulting firm, was contracted by LEITI (with funding from USAID) to conduct a “Scoping Study in the Mining Sector” of Liberia with the aim and objectives of identifying all mining activities and operations - particularly small scale, taking place in the sector with the view to derive a plan that would assist the LEITI extend the EITI reporting process to cover the entire sector and as well provide guidance on the minimum “materiality levels” if possible for payments and revenues from artisanal and small-scale miners.

The methodology adopted by the consultant an in-depth situation analysis of the reporting regime of the mining sector (inclusive of all players) with a view of understanding reporting gaps and constraints faced by operators in the sector. A detailed desk study of the sector was undertaken to acquire data on all mining activities (history, policy and regulatory documents, review of national and international projects on the ASM sector, operations and locations of major mining activities, etc.). Important consultations were held with the major stakeholders in the ASM sector including Mining Agents, Mining Chairmen, Regional Officers & Coordinators, miners and diggers as a means of soliciting their direct inputs with respect to issues in the sector. These Town Hall consultations were held in the prolific ASM mining regions of Western, Central & Northern Liberia. Further interviews and discussions were held with relevant regulatory institutions, mineral civil society organizations and professionals in the mining sector.