Survey Overview

This baseline and needs assessment was conducted to examine the environmental, social,
and economic impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in selected communities
in Zorzor and Salayea Districts, Lofa County. The assessment was implemented by Youth
Action Lead Liberia to generate evidence that will inform project design, implementation,
and monitoring. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative household and miner
surveys with qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of 75 households and 22
miners participated in the study, alongside community leaders including town chiefs,
youth representatives, women leaders, and elders. Data were collected using structured
questionnaires and analyzed using Excel and SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed
thematically.

The findings reveal significant environmental degradation associated with mining
activities. A large majority of households (84.0%) reported worsening water quality,
while 53.3% indicated that farmland has been affected, and 44.0% reported actual loss of
farmland. Additionally, 58.7% of respondents noted the presence of abandoned mining
pits, reflecting poor environmental management and few site restoration practices.
Environmental and climate awareness remains low. Although 64.0% of respondents have
heard about climate change, only 12.0% reported receiving environmental education in
the past two years. Among miners, environmental awareness is also low (40.9%), and
none reported receiving formal environmental training.

Legal awareness is critically low across both households and miners. Only 22.7% of
households are aware of their land rights, and just 21.3% know where to report
environmental damage. Among miners, awareness of mining laws is nonexistent (0.0%),
and no respondents reported incidents or environmental concerns to authorities,
highlighting weak accountability systems.

Mining safety conditions are poor and pose serious risks. Only 13.6% of miners reported
consistently using personal protective equipment (PPE), none have received safety
training, and 54.5% reported experiencing mining-related injuries. Access to first aid
services is also limited (27.3%), indicating a high-risk working environment.
The study also found weak community participation in mining governance. Less than half
of households (42.7%) reported attending community meetings on mining issues, and the
involvement of women and youth in decision-making remains limited. While some
communities reported the existence of agreements with mining actors, enforcement is
inconsistent.

Despite these challenges, mining remains a key source of livelihood, with 72.7% of
miners relying on it as their main income. However, limited alternative livelihood
opportunities increase vulnerability. At the same time, both households and miners
expressed strong demand for support, particularly in legal rights education, environmental
awareness, and mining safety training.

Based on these findings, the assessment recommends a comprehensive and integrated
intervention approach. Priority actions include strengthening environmental and climate
education, enhancing legal awareness and community rights, providing mining safety
training, promoting environmentally responsible mining practices, improving community
participation in governance, and supporting livelihood diversification. Read the full report here