By: Wilmot Konah
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The House of Representatives has voted to invite the Minister of Mines and Energy, Matenokay Tingban, along with the management of Huiren Mining Company, to appear before plenary on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 following concerns raised over bad mining operations in Bong County Electoral District Three.
The decision follows a formal communication from District Three Representative Marvin Cole, who sought plenary indulgence to have the minister and the company appeared for what he described as gross environmental violations and failure to comply with statutory obligations governing mining activities in Liberia.
Rep. Cole accused Huiren Mining Company of engaging in practices that allegedly degrade the environment and disregard community welfare, while also claiming credit for development initiatives initiated through his legislative office, an action he termed criminal and misleading.
According to the Bong County lawmaker, several efforts to engage the company’s management on these issues have produced no satisfactory outcome, prompting the need for legislative intervention.“The people of District Three deserve answers,” Rep. Cole told colleagues, stressing that mining companies operating within local communities must respect environmental regulations and fulfill their social and legal responsibilities.
The lawmaker further called on the Mines and Energy Ministry to account for its oversight role and explain how the company has been allowed to operate amid the alleged violations.By voting to cite both parties, the House has exercised its constitutional oversight authority to ensure accountability, transparency, and compliance with Liberia’s mining laws.
The appearance of the minister and the company’s management is expected to provide lawmakers with clarity on the environmental impact of the mining operations, the enforcement of mining regulations, and the status of community development obligations in the affected areas.
