By: Wilmot Konah
Capitol Hill — Bong County District #3 Representative Josiah Marvin Cole has strongly criticized and condemned the House of Representatives Committee on Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment for ordering Huiren Mining Company to resume operations, warning that he will resist the move over unresolved concerns.
Cole, who initiated the investigation into the company’s activities, maintains that key issues raised during both his initial complaint to the House plenary in February and the committee’s site inspection remain unaddressed. “I raised these concerns before plenary in good faith, backed by evidence from my constituents and preliminary findings,” Cole said. “Up to now, those same issues remain unresolved, yet the committee is moving to allow the company to resume operations. That is unacceptable.”
The lawmaker pointed to allegations of illegal underground mining under a Class B license, as well as concerns about the impact of the company’s operations on surrounding communities in the Wainsue Mining District.“
A Class B license does not permit underground mining. If a company is engaged in such activities, then it is operating outside the scope of the law,” he asserted. “We cannot sit and watch violations happen while communities continue to suffer the consequences.”
He further indicated that he has forwarded the matter to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai through the Ministry of State, expressing hope for redress. However, he warned that if no action is taken, he will rally local residents to resist the company’s continued operations.
“I have officially communicated this matter to the President because it is a serious national issue,” Cole stated. “But if nothing is done, I will stand with my people and we will resist any attempt to continue operations without full accountability.”
However, the House Mines and Energy Committee Chair, Representative Jeremiah Sokan, said the committee’s investigation did not find major non-compliance as alleged by the lawmaker, a finding that contributed to the decision to allow the company to resume operations.
“Our findings did not establish any major violations that would warrant a prolonged shutdown,” Sokan said. “The committee acted based on the facts before it and in line with its mandate.”
The company was previously ordered shut down after the committee identified compliance failures, including the inability to produce essential documents and inconsistencies in its management structure. However, following its appearance before the committee, the committee shifted its position, leading to the decision to lift the suspension and permit operations to continue.
Despite this, Representative Marvin Cole insists that allowing the company to resume work undermines accountability and leaves serious regulatory and community concerns unresolved. “You cannot shut down a company for non-compliance today and then turn around to clear them without addressing those same issues,” Cole argued. “That undermines public confidence and weakens the credibility of our oversight process.”
He reaffirmed his position, stating: “I will resist this decision by all lawful means. The concerns of the people I represent cannot and will not be ignored.”
Both lawmakers spoke in separate Press Conferences Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from their respective Capitol Building offices.
