-NEWAKEN BECOMES BREEDING GROUND
Reports say a conflict has ignited amongst competing miners trying to establish authority in what is described as a gold rush in the gold-rich mining sight of Newaken Community, Trehn Statutory District, Grand Kru County..
Brewing between the Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Hongyun Mining Company Inc., the dispute has reportedly reached the Worktaken Magisterial Court for adjudication..
The reports say disagreement has also raised concerns about the management of mining activities in the area and the need for proper documentation of mining claims to prevent conflicts among communities, cooperatives, and mining companies.
A team of reporters that visited disputed site on July 20 and 21, 2026, observed three excavators, one front-end loader, and other heavy-duty equipment at the location.
The reporters said they saw one excavator operating, while large quantities of gravel were stockpiled on the site and an extensive land clearing ongoing.
The presence of heavy equipment at the location has intensified questions surrounding who authorized the reported activities and whether the parties involved have the necessary legal rights to operate at the site.
The Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society has accused Hongyun Mining Company Inc. and several individuals of entering mining claims allegedly belonging to its members and conducting mining activities without authorization.
In its complaint before Worktaken Magisterial Court, cooperative alleged criminal trespass, theft of property, and disorderly conduct.
Court records indicate that a Writ of Arrest was issued on July 7, 2026, after the group filed its complaint. The matter is expected to be heard on July 22, when the court could provide further direction on the competing claims and the activities taking place at the site.
Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society President Elton Macarthy Wiah said the cooperative is seeking legal protection for the interests of its members. Wiah said the decision to go to court was aimed at preventing confrontation and allowing the legal system to resolve the disagreement.
“We went to court because we want peace, but the refusal to stop working can create more problems,” Wiah said. He maintained that mining activities should be suspended until the dispute is resolved. “Nobody should be mining here until the issue is resolved,” he added.
The Cooperative said continued activities at the site could further exacerbate the dispute. A letter dated October 27, 2025 and signed by Newaken Clan Chief , Michael W. Saikay, is among documents reviewed in connection with the dispute.
The letter indicates that the Newaken Community has agreed to grant one Class “C” mining claim on Gbanwin Creek to Mrs. Eliza N. Dioh, who is believed to be associated with the Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
The letter further advised that the mining claim should be properly documented through the Ministry of Mines and Energy to prevent illegal mining activities and future disputes.
Other documents reviewed by reporters indicate that the Southeastern Multipurpose Cooperative Society is a Liberian-owned cooperative with 23 members, most of whom reportedly hold Class “C” mining licenses.
Hongyun Mining Company Inc. has not yet publicly provided a detailed response to the allegations.
When contacted at the company's Newaken office, Field Manager Emmanuel Gbaglow declined to comment immediately.
Gbaglow said the company would respond through the media at a later date.
The dispute has also placed attention on the Ministry of Mines and Energy, which is responsible for regulating Liberia's mining sector.
Efforts to obtain the ministry's position on the competing claims and the reported mining activities were unsuccessful before publication.
The ministry's clarification could help determine the licensing status of the parties and whether the mining operations reportedly taking place at the site are legally authorized.
As the court prepares to hear the matter, the future of the Newaken mining site remains uncertain.
For now, the competing claims have left the gold-rich location at the center of a legal and administrative dispute, with the court expected to provide further direction on who has the right to conduct mining activities in the area.
