NATIONAL NEWS
CAPITOL HILL – Nimba County Senator Nya Twayen has raised serious concerns over the proposed Third Amendment to the ArcelorMittal Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), describing it as a “consequential restructuring” that requires thorough legislative scrutiny.
Speaking from his Capitol Hill office, Senator Twayen, a vocal advocate for concession compliance and community rights, urged the National Legislature to pause and carefully examine the legal, financial, and social implications of the amendment.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
“This is not a routine administrative update,” he said. “It fundamentally alters the principal concession holder and reshapes the governance of Liberia’s mineral resources.”
At the center of his critique is the transfer of all rights and obligations under the MDA from ArcelorMittal Switzerland AG to ArcelorMittal USA Liberia Holdings LLC (AML-USA), a newly registered U.S.-based entity.
Senator Twayen questioned the speed of the transition: “How can the company change hands on December 9, 2025, and the new agreement be signed just 11 days later on December 20? Who was the Liberian government negotiating with—AML Switzerland or AML-USA?”
He warned that the absence of parent company guarantees, liability continuity clauses, and enforceable security instruments could leave Liberia unable to hold the new entity accountable for past environmental violations, financial defaults, or community grievances.
The Senator also criticized the proposal to designate the entire concession, including undeveloped areas, as a single integrated production zone.
“International best practices support phased development and mandatory relinquishment of unused lands,” he said, warning that consolidation could enable “mineral warehousing” under the guise of infrastructure integration.
Additionally, Senator Twayen expressed concern over the removal of explicit social infrastructure obligations.
He noted that previous agreements required ArcelorMittal to build and maintain roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and water systems in affected communities—commitments that remain largely unfulfilled.
He called on lawmakers to ensure that any amendments protect Liberia’s resources, uphold accountability, and safeguard the welfare of local communities.
