-Schedules Hearing for July 1st
The House of Representatives of Liberia has formally summoned ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) to a crucial public hearing scheduled for July 1, 2025, marking a significant escalation in legislative oversight of the country’s extractive sector. In an official letter addressed to AML Chief Executive Officer Michiel Van Der Merwe and signed by the Chief Clerk, lawmakers have demanded the steel giant produce a comprehensive five-year financial report detailing all aspects of its Liberian operations.
The rescheduled hearing will convene at 2:00 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room of the Capitol Building, where a specially constituted joint committee of the House will conduct a thorough examination of AML’s compliance with its Mineral Development Agreement. This powerful investigative body combines the expertise of multiple standing committees including Investment and Concessions, Lands, Mines and Energy, Natural Resources and Environment, and Labor, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the planned review.
At the heart of the inquiry lies the government’s 30 percent equity stake in the concession, with legislators seeking detailed documentation of how this share has been managed and accounted for over the past five years. The House has mandated AML to submit not only its complete financial records but all supporting documents that could shed light on the company’s operational and financial performance since 2020.
This hearing comes amid growing national concern about transparency and accountability in Liberia’s extractive industries, with both lawmakers and civil society increasingly vocal about ensuring proper benefit-sharing from the country’s natural resources. The House has emphasized its commitment to public participation in the process, explicitly inviting media representatives, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens to attend and observe the proceedings.
The legislature’s action represents the most significant scrutiny of ArcelorMittal’s operations in recent years and could have far-reaching implications for how Liberia manages its relationships with multinational corporations operating in the mining sector. Industry analysts suggest the hearing’s outcomes may influence ongoing negotiations with other concession holders and potentially set new standards for corporate transparency in the country’s extractive industries.
ArcelorMittal has been instructed to provide all requested documentation prior to or during the July 1st hearing to enable proper review by legislative committees. The company’s response and subsequent testimony are expected to provide critical insights into its compliance with concession terms and its overall contribution to Liberia’s economic development.
