Liberia Shuts Down China Union’s Bong Mines Over Environmental Violations

Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has closed down the operations of China Union’s Bong Mines due to multiple environmental violations. The shutdown was announced by the EPA on Thursday, according to a Reuters report.

The EPA cited several infractions, including operating without an effluent discharge license and building a processing plant without a permit. Additionally, the company was accused of discharging tailings into a wetland.

The Bong Mines had halted production from 1989 to 2003 due to a conflict. China Union took over in 2008 with a $2.6 billion investment and began iron ore shipments in 2014. However, the EPA has flagged these violations twice since June and fined the company. China Union did not respond to either query.

China Union blatantly ignored the EPA warnings and continued to operate without any environmental permits, continuing its environmental degradation and pollution, the EPA stated.

The agency said the closure will remain in effect until the company complies with all regulations and addresses the environmental concerns. China Union has not yet commented on the matter.

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