Monrovia, Liberia – The Human Resources and Organizational Management Department of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Contractor Compliance division reports that 5,508 Liberians were employed by contractor companies between January and December 2025. This is in keeping with a guideline to prioritize employment for Fenceline communities.
In 2024, locals in the vicinity of ArcelorMittal Liberia operations voiced worries about their employment prospects. In response to these complaints, Kleber Silva, Global Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Mining at ArcelorMittal Liberia, issued a clear directive requiring all contractors employed by the company to give preference to qualified candidates from fenceline communities for both general and skilled positions.
In order to guarantee adherence, Contractor Compliance has collaborated extensively with contractors, the Community Relations Department, and community leadership structures since the mandate was issued. It is reported that Human resource managers of contracted enterprises submit job postings to ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Community Relations unit under the updated procedure. Before candidates are given consideration for employment, the unit interacts with members of the community, gathers applications, and facilitates verification through leaders of the impacted communities.
5,508 Liberians were hired or contracted during the 2025 period, making up 81.6 percent of the total workforce employed by contractors, according to the data made public. 3,386 of these were skilled laborers. 1,535 skilled workers were hired from other areas of Liberia, while 1,851 skilled posts were filled by members of the Fenceline villages.
There were 2,122 Liberians employed or under contract in the unskilled labor category. Of this number, 586 were from beyond the immediate operational regions, while 1,536 were from fenceline villages. According to Contractor Compliance, depending on the terms of the contracts between ArcelorMittal Liberia and its contractors, employment arrangements differ, with some workers employed for particular projects and others engaged on long-term contracts.
The investigation emphasizes the wider significance of hiring locally, especially in areas that are home to large-scale mining operations, in addition to reaching employment targets. Local hiring increases household earnings, lowers unemployment, and builds community confidence in the business and its contractors. Local hiring also promotes social stability and harmonious cohabitation around operational areas by guaranteeing that host communities directly benefit economically.
According to Contractor Compliance, hiring locals improves operational efficiency since they are more accustomed to the workplace and are more likely to stick around, which lowers turnover. Additionally, the strategy facilitates workforce development and skill transfer, allowing locals to acquire experience that can enhance their long-term employability outside of mining-related industries.
The department emphasized that although fenceline villages are given priority, hiring is still merit-based and compliant with both ArcelorMittal Liberia rules and national labor laws. This guarantees safety, equity, and openness in all contractor operations.
According to ArcelorMittal Liberia, the recruitment numbers for 2025 demonstrate the company’s dedication to shared value generation, responsible mining, and community involvement. In order to handle new issues and maintain local involvement in employment prospects, the company has reiterated its plan to keep an eye on contractor compliance, improve contact with host communities, and improve recruitment procedures.
