Development of Mineral and Environmental Policies

As the new Government of Liberia commits itself to put in place effective policy guidelines to assist in the economic reconstruction of the Country, the Ministry of lands, Mines & Energy during the period under review began the process of formulating new energy, mineral, land and water policies.

In this regard, the Survey is playing an active part in the development of both the water and mineral policies of Liberia.

Sand Mining Policy: Realizing that no effective control and organization of the beach sand mining industry can be achieved in the absence of rules and regulations governing this sector, the Survey played a very important role in preparing the draft sand mining policy which will eventually form part of the National Mineral Policy of Liberia.

The Sand Mining Policy will serve as the legal and institutional framework under which all stakeholders will abide by and be held accountable to. The Policy addresses and defines the following:

• Designation of beach sand mining areas and the issuance of permits to qualified person/institutions
• Conduct of sand mining in an environmentally acceptable manner to prevent coastal erosion
• Permit system for transport of sand and verification of waybills at security checkpoints
• Transport permit fees and penalties for violators
• Operating guidelines and procedures for the daily operation of beach mining sites
• Identification of regulatory and enforcement agencies
• Taxation on beach sand as a mineral resource and modalities for assessing revenue due government