By West Africa Voice Staff Writer
Monrovia, Liberia – June 13, 2026
A bill seeking to reserve Class “B” mining licenses exclusively for Liberian citizens has been introduced in the Liberian Senate, signaling a potential shift in the country’s small- and medium-scale mining sector.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Simeon Taylor of Grand Cape Mount County and Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County, aims to amend portions of the New Mineral and Mining Law of 2000 (Title 23, Liberian Codes of Law Revised).
If enacted, the bill would revise Part 1, Chapter 2, Section 2 and Section 4.2(F), and introduce additional provisions under Chapter 6, Section 16.2 and Chapter 22, Section 22.1. The amendment is intended to restrict the issuance of Class “B” mining licenses to Liberian nationals.
Speaking before plenary, Senator Dillon said the bill was developed jointly with Senator Taylor.
“Senator Simeon Taylor of Grand Cape Mount and I thought to put this bill together that will hopefully be passed,” Dillon told his colleagues.
He added that the proposal is intended to position Liberians to benefit from future opportunities in the sector.
“There is a maxim that says it is better to be prepared when there’s no opportunity, than for opportunity to be around and you are not prepared,” he said.
“We are making preparation so that when Liberians have the opportunity to have money in their pockets, they will not be seeking for a law that empowers them,” Dillon added.
Class “B” mining licenses in Liberia are generally associated with small- and medium-scale mining activities, which are often undertaken by individual operators or local enterprises.
The bill has been forwarded for further legislative consideration, where it is expected to undergo review and possible public input before any final decision is made.
The proposed amendment comes amid ongoing discussions about local participation and ownership in Liberia’s extractive industries.