By Steve Doito | West Africa Voice
Monrovia — A formal disclosure by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has raised new questions regarding the legal identity, tax status, and operational history of South African-based mining services firm DRA Global in Liberia.
The disclosure, issued in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, provides rare clarity into how the company is captured within Liberia’s tax system—while also exposing key distinctions between its global identity and its locally registered entity.
According to the LRA, “DRA Global” is not recognized as a registered taxpayer in Liberia. Instead, the Authority confirmed that its records reflect a separate entity, DRA Projects Liberia Inc., which is registered under Tax Identification Number (TIN) 501340417.
The company was registered on February 22, 2022, and remains active.
The LRA further classified DRA Projects Liberia Inc. as a large taxpayer, a designation typically applied to companies with significant financial activity and subject to enhanced regulatory oversight.
In addition, the entity is formally registered as a foreign corporation, indicating that it operates locally but is owned or controlled from outside Liberia.
The distinction between the globally recognized “DRA Global” and the locally registered DRA Projects Liberia Inc. has become a focal point of scrutiny, particularly in relation to the company’s operations prior to its 2022 registration.
In an earlier response, DRA’s General Manager based in Cape Town, Rob Welsh, stated that the company operates under a holding structure comprising multiple subsidiaries.
He maintained that DRA Projects Liberia Inc. has received a “clean audit assessment” from the LRA, signaling compliance with applicable tax and regulatory obligations.
However, the company’s response did not directly address questions relating to its operational and contractual footprint in Liberia before the establishment of its locally registered entity.
In a follow-up communication seeking clarification, this outlet has requested DRA to provide specific answers to several outstanding issues. These include whether “DRA Global” has ever been registered as a taxpayer in Liberia; the legal entity under which DRA operated during its engagement with Bea Mountain Mining Corporation prior to 2022; and which entity formally entered into contractual agreements for the New Liberty Gold Mine project.
Further clarification has also been sought on whether the referenced “clean audit assessment” applies strictly to DRA Projects Liberia Inc. following its 2022 registration, or whether it extends to the full period of the company’s operations in Liberia, including earlier project phases.
Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the precise relationship between DRA Global and DRA Projects Liberia Inc., particularly in terms of tax liability and operational responsibility within Liberia.
“These clarifications are essential to reconcile the distinction identified by the Liberia Revenue Authority between the parent company and the locally registered entity,” the follow-up communication noted, emphasizing the need for accuracy and balance in public reporting.
While DRA has indicated its willingness to engage directly with the LRA on any concerns, observers note that the issues raised go beyond routine compliance and touch on broader questions of corporate transparency, regulatory alignment, and accountability in Liberia’s extractive sector.
The LRA, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and public accountability, stating that its disclosure is consistent with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and its mandate to provide access to information of public interest.
As of publication, no further clarification has been issued by either the LRA or DRA regarding the outstanding questions.
The matter is expected to draw continued public and regulatory attention as stakeholders seek greater clarity on the operations of foreign-owned companies within Liberia’s mining sector.
West Africa Voice has requested additional clarification and will update this report as more information becomes available.