Liberia Task Force Targets $1.6 Billion in Illicit Minerals With Drones and Satellites
Colonel Abraham S. Kromah announced plans to deploy drones and satellite technology against illegal mining, aiming to seize equipment and mineral stocks worth over $1.6 billion annually.
Liberia will utilize drones, satellite reconnaissance, and coordinated military and police units to combat illegal mining nationwide. Colonel Abraham S. Kromah, chairman of the new Protect Our Resources Taskforce (PORT), stated that operators will face seizure of dredges, excavators, and mineral stocks, followed by prosecution. He described the illicit trade as generating more than $1.6 billion a year in stolen goods while causing environmental damage such as polluted waterways and destroyed farmland.
Kromah explained that the operation has shifted from a regulatory issue to a national security threat due to these massive losses. However, the taskforce currently lacks funding for execution. It reported no dedicated budget line because it was established after the standard national budget cycle. Colonel Kromah submitted an annual request of $1.4 million for vehicles and operational gear, which was subsequently reduced to approximately $800,000. The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has offered some assistance so far, but additional support remains unsecured.
