Monrovia, Liberia – The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) has imposed a US$400,000 administrative fine on ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) and ordered the company to pay an additional US$100,000 to the Agency following reported environmental pollution and regulatory violations associated with its mining operations in Nimba County.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, August 31, 2023, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo disclosed that the decision was reached following a complaint filed on August 11, 2026, by residents of Bolo Town, Gba Clan, Yarmein Administrative District, Nimba County, alleging environmental pollution of community water sources, damage to crops, and impacts on livelihoods linked to AML’s mining operations around Mount Gangra and Mount Yulleton.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo upon the compliant by residence, the EPA responded by sending a preliminary investigation team to the affected area on August 13, 2026, where the team inspected watercourses and farmlands, engaged AML’s environmental management team, and consulted with traditional leaders, women, youths, elders, community representatives, and persons with disabilities.
“The preliminary investigation found visible evidence that substantially supported the community’s complaint,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
According to him, the situation is serious because the affected water sources and farmlands are directly connected to the communities’ health, food security, and livelihoods.
“These findings are especially serious because the affected water resources and farmlands are directly connected to the health, food security, and economic survival of the surrounding communities,” Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized.
Dr. Yarkpawolo informed that the EPA engaged AML through conferences and written communications and provided a final compliance deadline of August 25, 2026, but AML failed to notify the EPA of the reported pollution incidents as required by the conditions of its environmental permit noting that the outstanding violations were not satisfactorily addressed.
“Despite conferences, written communications, and a final compliance deadline of August 25, 2026, the outstanding violations were not satisfactorily addressed,” he said.
As a result of the regulatory action, the EPA has imposed an administrative fine of US$400,000 on AML adding that the amount must be paid into the Government of Liberia Consolidated Account through the Liberia Revenue Authority within 10 working days.
The EPA Boss lamented that an additional US$100,000 is required by the company to support further monitoring, sampling, technical research, and environmental assessment necessary to determine the extent and trend of the reported pollution and guide restoration measures.
Together, the two payments amount to US$500,000, although the EPA clarified that the US$100,000 is separate from the administrative fine.
Yarkpawolo announced that AML must fully fund a comprehensive environmental assessment to be led by the EPA.
The assessment will determine the geographic extent and severity of the reported pollution and its impacts on water resources, farmlands, livelihoods, vegetation, and the wider landscape.
He said, EPA has ordered the company (AML) to compensate affected persons and communities for documented crop and livelihood losses and provide safe alternative water for immediate community use and support appropriate interim livelihood measures while the assessment and restoration process are ongoing. He added that payment of the fine and additional assessment funds does not release AML from other environmental obligations.
