After recently criticizing ArcelorMittal’s US$1.4 billion processing plant in Yekepa, Nimba County, Senator Nya D. Twayen has written the Plenary of the Liberian Senate requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit environmental documents for the company’s Iron Ore Processing Plant.
In a communication on Thursday, June 12, 2025, Nimba County Senator Twayen said EPA should furnish the Senate Committee on Hydrocarbon, Energy and Environment with copies of the Environmental Impact Assessment (ELA) study, report, and the corresponding environmental permit issued to the ongoing construction of a multimillion-dollar iron ore processing plant by ArcelorMittal in the County.
He said that given the scale and potential impact of the project, it is imperative that the Senate adequately be informed on the scope and content of the environmental studies conducted before the project’s approval; projected environmental and social impacts on surrounding communities, wildlife habitats, and forest ecosystems; and the mitigation and monitoring mechanisms put in place to ensure responsible environmental stewardship.
“The people of Nimba County, and indeed the Republic of Liberia, have a vested interest in understanding how such a major industrial operation will affect our environment, our health, and the sustainability of our natural resources,” he said.
He believes that the Senate Plenary must direct its secretary to appropriately communicate with the EPA so that these documents can be submitted and reviewed by the relevant committee, and subsequently report to the Plenary for necessary legislative oversight and public accountability.
