Gold in Liberia

      Liberia is underlain predominantly by Archaean and Proterozoic terrain, which is highly prospective, especially for gold and diamonds. Although the country is now governed as a multi-party democracy, Liberia missed out on the boom in mineral exploration that took place elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa during the 1990s because of civil wars between 1989 and 1995.

      A new Minerals and Mining Law came into effect in September, 2000, which established provisions for the licensing of exploration and mining in the country. In 2001, mineral production in Liberia consisted mainly of artisanal recovery of diamond and gold. Since December 1989, when mining revenues accounted for 22% of GDP, the mining sector has been severely damaged by civil war. By 1991, a single iron ore mine, operated by the Iron Mining Company of Liberia (LIMCO), was one of only a few industrial operations functioning in the entire country.