MONROVIA, October 11 (LINA) - An official of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy has disclosed that the ministry issued 144 mining licenses to miners in the Degan and Totota mining zones in Bong County from January to October as a means of curtailing illicit mineral transactions in Bong and other parts of the country.
Mr. J. Somu Talar, the Regional Mining Coordinator for Bong, Nimba and Lofa Counties, pointed out that those in possession of licenses are in full compliance with the Kimberley process, noting that this will lead to the certification of their diamonds.
Mr. Talar made the disclosure Friday in an interview with the Liberia News Agency at his Lands, Mines and Energy office on Capitol Hill in Monrovia.
Talar has meanwhile warned individuals involved in illicit mineral transactions across the country to desist or face the full weight of the law when apprehended.
He noted that illicit mineral transaction is an economic crime which has the propensity to deny the country of much needed revenue.
The Lands, Mines and Energy official emphasized that he will not permit individuals to engage in illicit mineral transactions in the three counties under his direct supervision, as has been rumored in some quarters that illicit mining activities were ongoing in the three counties.
LINARD/PSN/TSS