Africa-Press – Liberia. Bong County Electoral District Three Representative, Hon. J. Marvin Cole, has announced plans to amend an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hurine Mining Company and communities affected by its mining operations in Jorpolu Clan, following mounting complaints of inequality, exclusion, and unfair distribution of benefits.
The announcement was made on Sunday, December 14, 2025, during a well-attended town hall meeting jointly organized by Representative Cole, Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, and the District Commissioner. The dialogue brought together residents and leaders from several communities within the mining concession area to openly discuss grievances surrounding the MoU signed in February 2025.
Hurine Mining Company is currently conducting mineral extraction activities in parts of Jorpolu Clan, impacting multiple towns and villages. However, according to Representative Cole, the existing MoU failed to adequately recognize the collective impact of the mining operations on all affected communities.
Addressing residents at the meeting, Rep. Cole described the agreement as deeply flawed, noting that since its signing, Gbarmue Town has allegedly assumed control of the MoU and treated it as though it were the sole beneficiary, to the exclusion of other affected communities.
“The agreement, as it stands, does not reflect fairness or equity,” Rep. Cole said. “Multiple communities are bearing the social, environmental, and economic impacts of these mining activities, yet the benefits have been concentrated in one location.”
He emphasized that the MoU must be amended to clearly define benefits for each affected community, taking into account the level of impact experienced as a result of the mining operations. Under the proposed revision, communities that are most affected—whether through land use, environmental degradation, or displacement—would receive a proportionately larger share of benefits, while other communities would also receive their fair allocation.
Representative Cole further raised concerns about the composition of the committee established to manage the MoU, revealing reports that all current committee members are from Gbarmue Town alone. This, he said, has fueled resentment and dissatisfaction among other communities within the mining zone.
“A committee that represents only one community cannot speak for all,” he stated. “For peace, transparency, and accountability to prevail, there must be inclusive representation from all affected areas.”
He disclosed that the process to amend the MoU will begin shortly after the Christmas and New Year holidays and will be conducted through the court system to ensure that the revised agreement carries full legal authority and is binding on all parties involved.
Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, speaking at the town hall, strongly endorsed Representative Cole’s position and called on residents to remain calm and patient as the amendment process unfolds.
Superintendent Norris highlighted the importance of adopting a structured and impact-based benefit-sharing model, drawing parallels with established mining arrangements elsewhere in the country.
She cited the ArcelorMittal Liberia mining framework as a national example of equitable distribution of benefits. According to her, Nimba County, where iron ore is extracted, receives 50 percent of benefits; Grand Bassa County, which hosts the export port, receives 30 percent; while Bong County benefits 20 percent due to the railway corridor passing through it.
“This kind of structured sharing, based on impact and infrastructure use, is what we should be looking at here,” Superintendent Norris explained. “It promotes fairness and reduces conflict.”
As a temporary measure pending the amendment of the MoU, Representative Cole directed Hurine Mining Company to suspend engagement with the current MoU committee. He instructed that all goodwill gestures from the company, including Christmas gifts and other forms of support, be routed through the officially designated liaison officer connecting the company with the affected communities.
The communities identified as being impacted by Hurine Mining Company’s operations include Jackson’s Village, Gbarmue, Kpai, Waiensue, Gbarnay, Barnama, and several other towns and villages within the Jorpolu Clan.
Residents at the meeting welcomed the intervention by the lawmaker and county authorities, expressing hope that the proposed amendment would bring transparency, inclusion, and equitable development to all communities affected by the mining activities.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
