Former Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie has strongly refuted any connection to the recent illegal mining controversy involving Chinese nationals in Gbarpolu County.
In response to the allegations levied against him, concerning his alleged association with Chinese individuals engaged in mining activities in Liberia, Senator Chie expressed his firm stance against Class ‘C’ and Class ‘B’ mining operations, citing concerns about their negative impact on communities and the environment.
“I don’t know any Chinese in Liberia who is involved in mining; neither am I associated with any Liberian or foreign national involved in mining,” the Grand Kru County Senator, who is also a trained geologist, declared. “I am fundamentally opposed to Class ‘C’ and Class ‘B’ mining activities because they bring no tangible benefits to the communities and the Government. Class ‘B’ mining activities only destroy the environment and are characterized by smuggling of mineral commodities, the way it is presently structured,”
Chie’s denial follows claims made by political activist Ambualah Mamey on social media, alleging that Chie, along with Nathaniel McGill and Former President George Weah, have been colluding with Chinese businessmen for personal gain by exploiting Liberia’s mineral resources.
Mamey’s assertions suggested a clandestine operation involving Chie and others to profit from illicit mining activities in the country.
Mamey claimed, “The Court has informed the Inspector General of Police that the Chinese businessmen, known as Gao Feng, and his team members who illegally exploited and own several million [U.S. dollars’] worth of diamonds from Gbarpolu County, cannot be found. They are charged with economic sabotage. Albert Chie and Nathaniel McGill, who have been using these Chinese miners to hide their and George Weah’s wealth in gold and diamond, have hidden the Chinese men and plan to sneak them out of the country this weekend.”
Asserting his innocence, Chie challenged anyone to provide tangible evidence linking him to any mining-related endeavors. He urged thorough investigations into the matter while maintaining his opposition to unauthorized mining practices.
“I support the shutting down of all Class ‘B’ mining activities across the country. I challenge anyone to produce evidence that I am associated with any form of mining in this country. Please go into the field and talk to the miners or the owners of the mines. Do your investigation and bring one piece of evidence to me. Everything is ‘they say’,” he asserted.
Chie also criticized the misuse of heavy machinery in mining activities, especially for Class “C” licenses, and advocated for industry restructuring to address such issues.
“I have made these views known to both the past and present Minister of Mines and Energy. I have suggested to the present Mines and Energy Minister, like I did to the former Minister, to suspend all Class ‘B’ and cooperative mining activities for one year or more until restructuring of that sub-sector can take place, through new legislation and sectoral regulations, with inputs from all major stakeholders,” Chie added.
The mining scandal in Gbarpolu County, which led to the indictment of prominent figures like Gao Feng, highlighted the illicit activities and financial fraud prevalent in Liberia’s mining sector.
The involvement of various entities in unauthorized mining activities underscored the urgent need for comprehensive regulatory measures and oversight to curb exploitation and safeguard the country’s mineral wealth for the benefit of its people.
The ongoing developments in the mining sector underscore the importance of addressing governance gaps to prevent such incidents and ensure transparency and accountability in the industry moving forward.
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