Mining industry of Liberia

[3] Mining sector is considered the prime mover for the economic growth of the country and its exploitation has to be appropriately balanced with sustainable environmental preservation of its rich biodiversity.

However, during the civil wars that lasted for 14 years till 2003, many major mines stopped operation and resulted in near zero contribution to the nation's economy.

[2][7] By 2004, diamond drilling programmes were underway at KGL, Weaju and Gondoja, while gold prospecting was in operation at Butter Hill, Benjeh, Ndablama, Gbarpolu and Soso Camp.

[3] Officially, extraction of diamonds was 155,000 carats as of 2001, but the quantity illegally smuggled to the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast was reportedly much higher.

[6] The New Liberty Gold (NLG) mine covering an area of 457 square kilometres (176 sq mi) is under exploration and extraction under a license granted to the private sector company, African Aura.