MONROVIA – SEPTEMBER 2, 2026: With acronym – ‘PORT’ - Protect Our Resources Taskforce, action is becoming closer as the head of the Mining Sector in Liberia, Honorable R. Matenokay Tingban, hosts a consultative technical meeting basically centered around the enforcement mandate of the Task Force, empowered by Executive Order 167, issued by His Excellency, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
Main focus of the meeting held Wednesday, September 2, 2026, was to advance preparations for the full implementation of the Abraham Kromah-led Task Force’s national mandate to combat illicit mining, strengthen regulatory compliance, and protect Liberia’s mineral resources.
The meeting focused primarily on translating the Taskforce’s mandate into a coordinated operational structure as it prepares to move into full-scale enforcement activities across Liberia’s mining sector.
The Chairman, experienced Law Enforcer, Abraham Kromah, made a detailed presentation outlining how the Taskforce will conduct its work and the respective functions and responsibilities of the institutions that make up the multi-agency enforcement mechanism.
The presentation provided further clarity on the roles of participating institutions, emphasizing coordination, information sharing, joint action, and adherence to the respective mandates of member institutions in addressing illicit mining and related violations.
Under the operational arrangement, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, through the Ministry of Justice will have responsibility for investigating cases of non-compliance identified within the mining sector and ensuring that such matters are appropriately addressed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The discussions also centered on maintaining the integrity and independence of the Taskforce’s enforcement operations.
Minister Tingban stressed that there will be zero tolerance for compromise, interference, or obstruction in the implementation of the Taskforce’s mandate including attempts to influence enforcement actions through calls or interventions from individuals who think they are influential members of the society whether in the public or private sector.
The Mines and Energy Minister, however, instructed members of the enforcement team to remain professional and well-intentioned/measured in their engagements with all stakeholders.
Honorable Tingban urged the enforcement team to answer calls and engage appropriately with concerned parties, while making clear that such engagements must not compromise the implementation of the Minerals and Mining Law, and the Mining Regulations of the Country.
He further remarked: “Answer all calls and be moderate in your response, but remain steadfast in implementation.”
The position reinforces the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the Taskforce with acronym ‘PORT,’ operations are conducted professionally, fairly, and within the framework of Liberia’s laws, while safeguarding enforcement decisions from undue influence.
The meeting represents another significant step toward the operationalization of ‘PORT’, following the Taskforce’s inaugural technical meeting held in July following the issuance of Executive Order 167 by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.
Established as a multi-agency mechanism, ‘PORT’ brings together relevant government institutions to strengthen inspection, intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring, enforcement, and resource governance across Liberia’s mining sector.
As the Taskforce moves toward full implementation, the participating institutions are expected to work collaboratively to identify and address illicit mining activities, strengthen compliance with mining regulations, protect government revenue, safeguard the environment, and ensure that Liberia’s mineral resources are managed in the national interest.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy, under the leadership of Minister R. Matenokay Tingban, says the process will require discipline, coordination, professionalism, and a firm commitment to the enforcement of Liberia’s laws.
The Ministry maintains that Liberia’s mineral resources are national assets and that efforts to protect them must be supported by effective regulation, accountability, and coordinated enforcement.
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