Liberia - Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) through Climate Smart Actions

The project is aligned with the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), which recognizes Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) as an important sector for socio-economic development. The overall goal is to improve formalization, efficiency and environmental management practices in the ASM sub sector in the three selected countries (Guinea Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone). The project objectives are aligned with provisions in the 2010 Mineral Policy of Liberia. Also, Liberia’s “Pro Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD)” 2018-2023 has generated high expectations amongst Liberians hence the challenge for the Government is to implement the plan successfully, especially strategies relating to job creation. The current AfDB CSP for Liberia also identified mining as a sector with the potential to contribute significantly to employment, income generation, and infrastructure development. The project will contribute to the efforts being made by the Ministry responsible for Mines to formalize activities of the artisanal and small-scale miners. Through this project, the Bank, will strengthen the institutional and human capacity of government regulatory agencies to among others facilitate formalization of ASM to generate employment and improve the economic status of several stakeholders – especially those along the ASM value chain. The project is based on three (3) components: (i) Formalization of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector to create jobs and contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic life of mining communities; (ii) capacity building of regulatory institutions to enforce mining laws and regulations and (iii) Project coordination and management. The project will be carried out from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.