Grand Gedeh County, May 23, 2026 – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commenced Day VI of the Nationwide Environmental Compliance Monitoring Exercise with an inspection of the operations of Gannon Melina Group of Company in Kahn Village, Gorbor Robert, Grand Gedeh County.

The company is engaged in Class C gold mining operations and was found operating with six excavator machines and two medium-sized gold processing plants at two separate mining sites.

During the inspection, EPA officers observed several serious environmental violations. Among the most alarming findings was the diversion of the Slomehn Creek by the company to facilitate its mining activities. Inspectors also established that the company was operating without a valid Environmental Permit, in direct violation of Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law.

The EPA further noted that the company’s activities have caused significant water pollution and extensive land degradation in the affected areas. Inspectors observed that previously mined portions of the concession had been abandoned without any restoration or rehabilitation measures, leaving the environment severely disturbed.

The violations come months after the company’s operations were formally reported to the EPA on March 10, 2026, by residents of Pyne Town, Sanquin, Gbliyee, and Kwerteh Town through SAPO Campaigners. Community members accused the company of polluting the Slomehn Creek, a major waterway that flows into the Sanquin River in Carbadea, Sinoe County, thereby threatening downstream communities and aquatic ecosystems.

Following the findings, the EPA enforcement team immediately ordered the shutdown of the company’s mining operations and issued two separate non-compliance notices for:

1. Operating without a valid Environmental Permit; and

2. Causing environmental pollution and land degradation.

The Agency emphasized that the diversion of natural watercourses, pollution of water bodies, and failure to restore mined-out areas constitute serious breaches of environmental regulations and pose significant risks to public health, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.

The EPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Liberia’s environment and natural resources, stressing that no company will be allowed to operate outside the framework of the law.