25/09/2025
Liberia Biodiversity Cries!
Mercury Polutions in Liberia Extractive Industry Need Serious Attention!
Liberia's laws on mercury are centered around the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which it ratified on September 24, 2024, along with other international obligations to protect human health and the environment from mercury pollution. Key regulations include banning new mercury mines, phasing out existing ones, and controlling the use of mercury in products and processes, with specific attention to the informal Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the lead agency responsible for enforcing these measures.
Key Aspects of Liberian Mercury Law
Ratification of the Minamata Convention: Liberia's formal ratification of the Minamata Convention in September 2024 signifies a commitment to global efforts to control mercury.
ASGM Regulations: The convention mandates regulations for the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), a known area of high mercury use in Liberia.
Bans and Phase-Outs:
Mining: New mercury mines are prohibited, and existing operations are being phased out.
Products: The use of mercury in various products and processes is subject to phase-down and phase-out measures.
Emissions Control: Strict measures are in place to control mercury emissions into the air and to prevent releases to land and water.
Waste Management: The convention provides guidelines for the safe interim storage and disposal of mercury waste.
Contaminated Sites: Measures are in place to address mercury-contaminated sites and prevent further contamination.
Enforcement and Capacity
Lead Agency: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary body responsible for overseeing mercury-related policies and enforcement.
Capacity Challenges: Despite legislative efforts, the effective enforcement of these laws faces challenges, including a lack of resources and capacity within the mining sector for regular inspections, according to Mongabay.
Awareness and Alternatives: Efforts are dead,
Need Artisanal Mercury techniques in mining, especially in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, involve using mercury to extract gold from ore. The process typically includes mixing mercury with crushed ore, forming an amalgam that is then heated to evaporate the mercury, leaving behind the gold.
Dangers
1. Mercury is highly toxic to humans and wildlife, causing neurological and health issues.
2. Workers are at risk of exposure through inhalation of mercury vapors and skin contact.
3. Mercury spills and improper disposal can lead to contamination.
Effects on the Environment and Marine Ecosystems:
A. Mercury released into the environment can settle in soil and water, contaminating rivers and lakes.
B. When mercury enters water bodies, microorganisms convert it into methylmercury, a highly toxic organic form that accumulates in fish and marine life.
C. This bioaccumulation affects fish and marine mammals, and ultimately humans who consume contaminated seafood.
D. It damages ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and the health of marine species.
Overall, mercury use in mining poses serious health risks and environmental threats, emphasizing the need for safer, sustainable alternatives, and legal enforcement through the Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Liberia Maritime Authority, Forestry Development Agency, And all partner entities.
