Liberia mining sector faces calls for increased local participation

At the second Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference and Expo (LIMEC 2026), stakeholders raised concerns regarding the marginalization of local businesses and grassroots miners in the country’s extractive industries.

GeoMining & Environmental Consultancy Inc., a 100% Liberian-owned firm, called for greater indigenous participation in the mining and energy sectors to ensure local companies are not sidelined by foreign investment. The company aims to demonstrate that domestic enterprises possess the technical expertise required for the petroleum and energy industries.

Simultaneously, government reforms intended to establish a domestic gold refinery and a National Minerals and Mining Company are facing scrutiny. While Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban emphasized the importance of moving away from raw mineral exports toward domestic processing and value addition, local gold miners expressed concerns that the proposed reforms may not adequately represent their interests or livelihoods.