Artisanal Training Boosts Sustainable Mining in River Gee -EU-Funded ‘Leh Go Green’ Pushes for Safe, Viable Practices

MONROVIA – The Analyst has learned that a comprehensive training program has been launched in southeastern Liberia, aimed at addressing environmental degradation caused by unsustainable mining practices.

According to reports, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), with support from the European Union-funded LEH GO GREEN project and in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are drivers of the program held under the theme, “Strengthening Governance, Human Rights, and Environmental Management for the Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining Sector in Liberia.”

The initiative convened over 50 participants, including representatives from key government institutions, civil society organizations, local miners, and youth and women leaders, and is also intended  build capacity in environmental monitoring, legal frameworks, and sustainable land reclamation practices.

The two-day training held in Fish Town from July 31 to August 1, 2025, was followed by the formation of a Participatory Environmental Monitoring Committee (PEMC) in Joquiken Town, as well as the identification of a site for a month-long restoration project, to be led by 40 local youth under a cash-for-work scheme.

Speaking at the opening of the training, Emmanuel Vaye, Assistant Minister for Planning at the Ministry of Mines, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to sustainable development.

“This training represents a major step in transforming our artisanal mining sector from a driver of environmental harm into a model of responsible resource management,” Vaye said. “Through strong collaboration and community ownership, we can rehabilitate degraded lands and build safer livelihoods.”

Training modules developed through the UNDP-funded Environmental Governance Programme, introduced participants to the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Handbook, legal rights, environmental safeguards, and participatory monitoring techniques.

The Participatory Environmental Monitoring Committee (PEMC) established in Joquiken Town is composed of 16 members, including women, youth, and traditional leaders.

The committee will lead environmental monitoring efforts and mobilize community support for the restoration of a previously mined and damaged site.

To enhance their capacity, the LEH GO GREEN project which is managed by UNDP in partnership with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) provided the committee with training materials, tools, and protective equipment.

This intervention aligns directly with the overarching goals of the LEH GO GREEN project, which seeks to strengthen sustainable forest governance, reduce deforestation, and enhance livelihoods in forest-fringe communities across the Gola and Grebo-Krahn landscapes.

As Liberia advances toward a more environmentally conscious and inclusive development path, this initiative stands as a powerful example of how coordinated efforts among government institutions, development partners, and local communities can effectively confront some of the nation’s most urgent environmental challenges.