Despite explicit orders from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) to cease operations, Gao Feng, the infamous Chinese miner also known as Barry, continues to engage in large-scale illicit mining activities in Gbarpolu County–even enjoying the protection of armed police officers.

This troubling development raises serious questions about the source of his apparent impunity within President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration.

At a recent press briefing, Wilmot Paye, Minister of Mines and Energy, expressed grave concerns regarding the ongoing illegal mining operations. “Our Assistant Minister for Mines and Assistant Minister for Exploration conducted a thorough investigation of the illicit mining activities in Gbarpolu County and submitted their report. I am not aware of any licensed mining holder named Barry (aka Gao Feng). When something is illicit, it means it does not have the right to operate!” stated Minister Paye.

The MME investigation team discovered that Gao Feng, under the guise of various companies including Urban & Rural Services Inc., Scott Investment Incorporation, Xin Li Da Investment Development Ltd., and Liberia Xian Shi Development Co., Ltd., has been conducting extensive illicit mining activities. These operations involve seventeen (17) excavators and eight (8) washing plants spread across Belle Yallah and Monakorlleh in Gbarpolu County since March 2023.

In April 2024, the MME halted Gao Feng’s illegal operations in Belle Yallah and Monakorlleh. However, shockingly, Gao Feng resumed his illicit activities immediately after the MME team left the area. Disturbingly, more than nine (9) armed police officers are now stationed at these illicit mining camps, providing protection for these unauthorized activities.

The scale of the illicit operations is staggering. In Monakorlleh, it is estimated that Gao Feng’s operations produce at least 5,000 grams of gold per day, valued at approximately US$365,000. In Belle Yallah, the daily production is estimated at a minimum of 8,000 grams of gold, worth around US$583,000. These figures highlight the significant financial gains being made from illegal mining in Gbarpolu County.

Gao Feng has been referred to as the “real Minister of Mines and Energy” over the past six years, a title he seems to wield with impunity. In a bold and alarming statement, he declared, “No one in Liberia can stop my illicit mining. I can even mine under the mansion without a license if minerals are there!” Despite President Boakai’s administration being in office for over four months, Gao Feng continues to benefit from his “Real Minister” status, undeterred by the MME’s efforts to stop his illegal activities.

The critical question that arises is: Who is granting Gao Feng, aka Barry, the authority to continue his illicit mining operations despite the MME’s clear directive to halt them? This situation underscores a potential deep-seated issue of corruption and abuse of power within the administration, necessitating urgent and transparent investigations.

The MME remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting Liberia’s natural resources. Minister Paye calls for immediate action to be taken to dismantle the network of protection surrounding Gao Feng’s illicit operations and to hold accountable those enabling these illegal activities.