Yekepa, Nimba County – ArcelorMittal Liberia is growing Yekepa and AML Buchanan Hospitals as part of its larger commitment to enhance healthcare delivery for its workers and local populations. In addition to advancing Liberia’s mining industry, ArcelorMittal has expressed committed to raising the standard of living in the areas where its operations have the biggest impact.
Kleber Silva, the Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Mining and Executive Vice President at ArcelorMittal, recently visited the concession area of ArcelorMittal Liberia and conveyed his profound satisfaction with the development of ongoing community and health infrastructure projects in Yekepa.
Following a tour of the company’s updated hospital facilities in Yekepa, Silva characterized the project upgrades as both noteworthy and significant for the welfare of the local communities and employees.
‘m amazed. The progress we made makes me very happy. All I see are the emergency rooms, the operating room, and the infrastructure upgrades we made. I’m really happy with the progress we’ve made so far and the progress that will come.”
Silva emphasized that ArcelorMittal Liberia’s larger commitment to enhance healthcare delivery for its employees and local residents includes the expansion of the Yekepa and AML Buchanan Hospitals, which now have new operating rooms and medical units. He also added that such an investment is crucial for the community and the company.
“We care about the community and about improving ourselves, this is really important to us. To care for the individuals we cherish, we need a good hospital and health infrastructure. And this is really crucial for us, and it is important that we keep moving forward,” he clarified.
During the tour, Silva also dedicated new water kiosk facilities, contemporary boreholes, and solar-powered pumps that are intended to supply Yekepa’s fenceline communities with safe drinking water.
“Considering water is so vital, this facility is fantastic. We value the community as we are together, and we now have a water kiosk for the people and community that provides clean drinking water. The best infrastructure for the people here is what we want,” he said.
Earlier, ArcelorMittal’s Global Mining CEO, Kleber Silva, toured the company’s Buchanan rail facility and other major installations to gain a firsthand impression of progress on the Phase II Expansion upgrades.
Marco Miranda, General Manager for Rail, informed Mr. Silva on the major accomplishments in the current rail infrastructure initiative. These included improved housekeeping standards, upgrades at the Rail Workshop, and the modernized Rail Traffic Control System. The completion of a thorough railway inspection, the decrease in the overall train cycle time, and the rise in the average number of wagons per train were other noteworthy achievements.
The CEO of Global Mining stressed the significance of these developments for the company and the local population. He praised the rail crew for their hard work.
The stories of 21 young people from fence line communities in Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties who have bravely stepped into the future as the newest recipients of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s investment in youth empowerment and skill development is among the most inspiring developments connected to the rail program.
Two women who have worked as train assistants are part of the group. They just finished a four-week theoretical training course at the company’s Buchanan Training Academy annex. They learned vital skills from the training, such as ArcelorMittal Rail Operational Rules, General Operating Instruction, Train Assistant tasks, air brake systems, and shunting.
They are currently going through a further twelve weeks of hands-on training aimed at converting classroom learning into practical skill. They will equipped to contribute successfully to rail operations and the company’s larger Phase II Expansion owing to this practical training.
Silva has advocated for concrete investments in housing, water, healthcare, training, and other community facilities on his many trips to Liberia. According to him, he sees these projects as crucial to fostering mutual respect and progress.
In 2024, Silva, who has over 35 years of experience in the mining and metallurgical sectors, returned to ArcelorMittal after holding the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO at Eramet. In host nations like Liberia, his homecoming has been characterized by a renewed emphasis on community development, environmental and social responsibility, and safety.
Silva’s leadership demonstrates ArcelorMittal’s commitment to expanding not only Liberia’s mining industry but also raising the standard of living for the communities most impacted by its operations, from improvements to hospitals and water systems to investments in housing and training.
