Liberia: Risky Gold Rush in Bassa - Deaths & Outlaw Overshadow Find

Jan 14, 2015 | Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, FrontPageAfrica
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The temporary closure of a popular gold mine in Grand Bassa County has eased tension over the rush for gold which has led to the deaths and riches of several residents in the county over the past couple of weeks.

No Way Gold Camp is located in the remote township of Marloi in Central Glaakon Statutory District No. 2, Grand Bassa County, a location many have travelled to seek their share of the abundant deposit of gold, but risks associated with mining in the area have overshadowed the activities at the mine, prompting Lawmakers of the county to recently put a two week suspension on mining activities in the area. In late December 2014, over 30 Mineworkers reportedly died in the mines while several others were killed by armed robbers.

A delegation headed by the Chair of the Grand Bassa County legislative caucus, Sen. Nyounblee Karnga-Lawrence, early last week assessed activities at the gold mine and along with other Lawmakers which included newly elected Senator Jonathan Kaipay, Representatives Gabriel Smith and Mary Karwor and the chairman of the Traditional Council Chief Zanzan Kawor, suspended mining activities due to. Despite the outlaw environment of the mining site, the Lawmakers also observed that the underdevelopment of the area which include the lack of roads, bridges, water and sanitation among others are critical issues that must be sorted while mining activities restart.