Published: March 27, 2026
MONROVIA — A sharp public dispute has erupted in the House of Representatives between Bong County District #3 Representative Josiah Marvin Cole and Grand Gedeh County District #1 Representative Jeremiah G. Sokan over the operations of Huiren Mining Company (H & K), exposing deep divisions over mining oversight, legal compliance, and alleged corruption.
At the center of the clash is Cole’s demand for an immediate halt to H & K’s operations, accusing the company of conducting illegal underground mining beyond the scope of its Class C license—claims the House Committee on Mines, chaired by Sokan, has rejected following an investigation.
Cole Alleges Illegal Mining, Corruption Cover-Up
Addressing a news conference Wednesday, March 25, at his Capitol Building office, Cole dismissed the committee’s findings as flawed and politically compromised, insisting that critical issues remain unresolved.
“These companies are exploiting and denying our people the opportunity to participate in the development and investment of their country,” Cole said, expressing “deep disappointment” in the committee’s work.
The Bong County lawmaker alleged that H & K is operating underground over long distances under the guise of a Class C license and accused members of the committee, along with officials of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, of shielding the company.
“For the committee to have taken a decision… hiding behind one expired license that they acquired dubiously, criminally, I think the Ministry of Mines and Energy should muster the courage,” he said.
Cole further claimed to have submitted video evidence to the Executive Mansion through the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, urging intervention from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
“I hope he will be able to access it… because we are going to take the responsibility to defend and protect the Constitution of this Republic,” he added.
He also challenged both the Legislature and the Executive to publicly account for Liberia’s mineral output, questioning the transparency of gold and diamond exports.
“Produce the production and exportation report… planes continue to come into the country surreptitiously while our people languish in poverty,” Cole asserted.
Invoking constitutional authority, Cole warned that failure to act could erode public trust and escalate tensions.
“I am going to readdress my letter to plenary and ask for a specialized committee… otherwise we will speak forcefully,” he said.
Sokan Defends Committee, Urges Respect for Mining Law
In a swift rebuttal, Representative Sokan defended the integrity of the committee’s investigation, outlining what he described as a transparent, evidence-based process involving multiple stakeholders.
He said the committee held a series of meetings with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the company, and Representative Cole, and conducted a site visit to Bong County with technical experts from the Environmental Protection Agency and the ministry.
The committee also held two public hearings before reaching its conclusions.
According to Sokan, the investigation found no legal basis to support Cole’s claims, stressing that Liberia’s Mining Law does not permit overlapping mining operations across license classes within the same designated area.
“We as lawmakers cannot be the same people to break the law, and the law prohibits that,” Sokan said.
He explained that the committee resolved that H & K should operate within legal bounds while cooperating with Class C miners, who will be encouraged to organize into cooperatives to strengthen their operations and livelihoods.
“It is our responsibility to find a way for our people using Class C licenses for their daily bread… to expand within the confines of the law without confrontation,” he said.
Legal Remedy or Legislative Reform
Sokan also revealed that the company has agreed to review a community development project proposal as part of efforts to address local concerns—a move he described as a “practical resolution” emerging from the investigation.
The committee is expected to submit its report to plenary following the Legislature’s break, where House leadership will determine the next course of action.
But tensions remain high.
Despite participating in the process, Cole has vowed to resist the committee’s conclusions—something Sokan questioned, pointing to the transparency of the proceedings.
“My colleague has to understand that we as lawmakers… the law protects both Liberians and investors,” Sokan said. “If he feels the law is not right, he should move to amend it, but until then, we must abide by it.”
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