By: Akoi M Baysah, Jr.
The Liberian Senate has concluded approval of Amendment number three to the ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) Mineral Development Agreement, concurring with the House of Representatives despite lingering public concerns over transparency, long-term national benefits, and oversight.
The Senate’s decision followed the submission of a report by a Joint Committee comprising the Committees on Lands & Mines; Concessions & Investment; Ways, Means, Finance & Budget; and Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petition, which recommended passage of the amendment.
On January 13, 2026, Plenary forwarded the proposed amendment to the Joint Committee for review and scrutiny, tasking it with advising lawmakers on the relevance and implications of the agreement.
The Committee convened a public hearing on January 21, 2026, inviting the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Concessions (IMCC) to justify the necessity of the amendment and outline its anticipated economic benefits.
According to information presented by the IMCC, the Third Amendment extends AML’s concession agreement to December 20, 2050, effectively committing Liberia to nearly three additional decades of large-scale iron ore extraction. The Senate noted that the amendment also provides for increased production capacity, from 15 million wet metric tons per annum (MWMPTA) by 2027, to 20 million MWMPTA by 2031, and up to 30 million MWMPTA thereafter.
The Senate issued statement on Thursday, January 29, 2026 noted that the IMCC agreement further includes an upfront payment of US$200 million to the Government of Liberia and raises the annual mining license fee from US$50,000 to US$500,000, figures government officials argue will strengthen national revenue inflows.
Under the amendment, the Community Development Fund (CDF) allocation is increased to US$5 million annually, intended to support development initiatives in mining-affected communities.
However, questions remain among stakeholders regarding implementation, monitoring, and the actual impact of such funds at the community level.Amendment No. 3 also grants the Government of Liberia authority to establish a multi-user rail regime under a new Railroad System Operating Principle (RSOP) framework, allowing the state to generate revenue from third-party users of AML’s rail infrastructure.
The provisions additionally include commitments to maintain community roads in Bong, Grand Bassa, and Nimba counties, upgrade health facilities in Yekepa and Buchanan, and allocate US$4.6 million for the construction of three medical facilities in Nimba and Grand Bassa counties.
The IMCC also informed lawmakers that the amendment covers the rehabilitation of the St. John River Bridge and the KM 2.5 Bridge linking Buchanan’s city center to the concession loop, as well as the establishment of a vocational training institute aimed at preparing local residents for employment opportunities associated with the mining operation.
On employment, the amendment reportedly strengthens provisions for Liberians to occupy senior managerial positions within AML and reserves certain specialized roles exclusively for qualified Liberians, though critics argue enforcement of similar provisions in past agreements has been weak.
Following what it described as a “vigorous review,” the Joint Committee recommended approval of the amendment, laws are made but the implementation is what lacking in liberia.
Acting on that recommendation, the Senate brought to a closed by concurring with the House of Representatives during its session on Thursday, January 29, 2026, bringing legislative consideration of the agreement.
Despite the approval, the long-term implications of the amendment, particularly the 2050 extension, revenue guarantees, and accountability mechanisms, are expected to remain the subject of public debate.
