MONROVIA – The House of Representatives has rescheduled its highly anticipated public hearing with ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) to Tuesday, July 1, 2025, according to a statement released on Saturday, June 21. The concession compliance hearing, which will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the Capitol Building, will be conducted by the Joint Committee on Investment and Concessions. The committee includes members of the House Committees on Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources, Environment, and Labor.
In a formal letter addressed to AML’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michiel Van Der Merwe, the House demanded a comprehensive financial gain report covering the company’s operational and financial activities over the past five years. The hearing will evaluate ArcelorMittal’s adherence to its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Government of Liberia, with particular attention on the controversial 30 percent government share provision within the agreement.
The House has also requested documentation related to iron ore production, corporate social responsibility projects, scholarship funding, and support to the University of Liberia’s Geological Department. An updated list of Liberian senior and managerial staff, along with community resource activity reports, must be submitted before or on the day of the hearing.
The rescheduled session comes amid increased legislative scrutiny of major concession agreements across Liberia. Lawmakers, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens are demanding greater transparency, accountability, and equitable benefit-sharing in the extractive sector. In its press statement, the House emphasized its commitment to ensuring that the wellbeing of the Liberian people remains central to concession oversight and invited the public and media to attend the hearing.
This renewed focus on AML’s operations follows the June 5 commissioning of its US$1.4 billion concentrator plant in Yekepa, Nimba County. Although the ceremony, graced by President Joseph Boakai, was meant to highlight renewed investment and the creation of over 6,000 jobs, it instead ignited fierce criticism from community members and elected officials.
Senator Nya D. Twayen of Nimba County issued a stern warning during the event, stating that any extension of AML’s concession agreement would be strongly resisted if demands from the Nimba Legislative Caucus were not met. “AML? You can dedicate another 1 billion dollar plant, but if the conditions laid down by the Nimba Caucus are not met, we will resist renewal,” Senator Twayen declared.
His comments reflect growing frustration among residents of Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties, regions hosting AML’s operations, over unfulfilled promises and deteriorating local conditions. In Yekepa, once a vibrant mining town, residents now contend with poor roads, collapsing infrastructure, and what many describe as corporate neglect. Protests erupted ahead of President Boakai’s visit, with locals chanting “AML Must Go” in a call for more inclusive and impactful development.
Despite exporting over 6.4 million metric tons of iron ore and generating nearly US$477.2 million in revenue between 2021 and 2022, AML continues to face accusations of labor exploitation, unequal pay between expatriates and local staff, and persistent safety hazards. Labor unions have repeatedly demanded improved working conditions and wage fairness, while a series of workplace accidents have only intensified scrutiny.
Since entering Liberia in 2005, ArcelorMittal has committed to rehabilitating key infrastructure, including the Yekepa-Buchanan railway and port facilities. The 2011 amendment to its MDA further expanded its operations to over 500,000 hectares. Still, for many Liberians, the promises made have yet to materialize in their communities, fueling skepticism about the true value of the company’s presence in the country.
