Hearings into Ivanhoe Liberia’s Concession and Access Agreement (CAA) have commenced at the House of Representatives, with significant progress that could fast-track ratification of the deal. A joint committee of the House is reviewing the agreement to enable the transport of iron ore from Guinea through Liberia’s existing rail and port infrastructure.
On Tuesday, November 18, the Joint Committee hearing, chaired by Representative Foday Fahnbulleh, reviewed key components of the CAA, including the establishment of an Independent Rail Operator, Ivanhoe’s planned investments across multiple phases and community impact initiatives.
The hearing, held under a friendly atmosphere, showed strong support across the Inter Ministerial Concessions Commission (IMCC). The legislative hearing, which was attended by the National Investment Commission, Minister of Transport, Minister of Justice, Acting Minister of Mines and Energy and Deputy Minister of Finance, entertained compelling presentations that justified President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s approval and submission of the instrument to the Legislature aimed at advancing the CAA for ratification.
In separate presentations, the Ministers reiterated support for the agreement and emphasized economic benefits for Liberia, including jobs and long-term revenue. Government lawyers also attended the hearing with a clear legal analysis refuting claims that the agreement could undermine relations with Guinea. The officials underscored that the Liberia–Guinea framework supports the project and that CAA aligns fully with existing bilateral commitments.
Clarifying the Liberia-Guinea Implementation Agreement (IA) of 2019 relative to questions about whether the Agreement requires new joint approvals, it was indicated at the hearing that the IA is a cooperation framework and not a mechanism for shared or veto authority. “Each country retains full sovereignty over decisions made within its territory. The IA’s purpose is to facilitate the movement of approved Guinean mining products through Liberia and to promote shared use of infrastructure, not to approve or block individual projects.” Government representatives at the hearing told lawmakers.
How Approvals Work
The Implementation Agreement sets out simple sequence that Guinea confirms a mining project eligible for cross-border transport and Liberia decides whether to grant access to its rail and port infrastructure in line with Liberian law. No clause in the IA allows either Government, or any joint committee, to override the other’s sovereign decisions. Additionally, both governments have already issued the only approvals required under the IA, disclosing that in 2020, Guinea’s Ministry of Mines authorized SMFG to export iron ore through Liberia, an approval that remains valid. In 2021, Liberia’s Minister of Transport granted SMFG/Ivanhoe Liberia a Right of Access, subject to a rail access agreement. This was a lawful sovereign act and remains in force.
Role of Committees
The Inter-Ministerial and Monitoring Committees exist to coordinate technical matters such as customs and operational issues. They do not have the mandate to review, approve or revoke ministerial decisions already taken by either Government.
What the Current CAA Does
The CAA implements Liberia’s domestic rail and port access regime; defines commercial and multi-user conditions; gives practical effect to Liberia’s 2021 approval and it does not create new cross-border rights or require approval from Guinea. The Governments of Liberia and Guinea have already approved the use of Liberia’s rail corridor for Guinean ore. These approvals are valid, sovereign and legally sufficient. The current legislative process in Liberia concerns domestic implementation and commercial terms, not international approval, a lawyer familiar with the deal reveals. The IA now requires the parties to negotiate the commercial and operational arrangements via the CAA.
