MONROVIA, Liberia — Sinoe County Senator Crayton O. Duncan, political leader of the newly established People’s Economic Movement (PEM), has called for reforms in Liberia’s mining sector to improve access to opportunities for small-scale miners and increase local participation in the country’s natural resource industry.
Duncan said small-scale mining remains an important source of livelihood for many Liberians, particularly those who depend on the sector to support their families. However, he noted that operators continue to face challenges, including limited access to modern equipment, inadequate financing, insufficient technical expertise, safety risks and difficulties accessing legitimate markets.
He argued that addressing these constraints should form part of a broader effort to reform the management of Liberia’s natural resources and ensure that economic opportunities extend beyond large-scale mining operations.
According to Duncan, improved access to technical training, transparent licensing procedures, modern equipment, environmental safeguards and appropriate safety standards could help small-scale miners operate legally, improve productivity and contribute more effectively to the national economy.
He also stressed that Liberia’s natural resource sector should provide opportunities for qualified citizens at different levels of the industry, rather than concentrating economic benefits among a limited number of major operators.
The senator’s position places emphasis on greater local participation in resource development, particularly through policies that enable small-scale miners to access the support and resources needed to operate sustainably.
Duncan said changes in the way the country manages its natural resources are necessary to ensure that the benefits of economic activities translate into improved livelihoods and broader national development.
“We must change the way things are handled in this country for the good and benefit of our people,” he said.
