Yekepa, Nimba County—ArcelorMittal Liberia has commenced land-clearing activities in Yekepa Township as part of infrastructure expansion efforts aligned with its obligations under the amended Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Government of Liberia. The current effort is a component of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s larger plans for infrastructure development and township restoration, which are intended to restore Yekepa to its pre-war configuration and provide room for important projects related to the company’s operational expansion.
Early in February 2026, ArcelorMittal Liberia started locating and labeling unapproved structures in Yekepa Township in cooperation with the Liberian Ministry of Public Works. Following the exercise, local radio stations broadcast a number of public awareness campaigns alerting locals to the fact that on May 7, 2026, unapproved structures would be demolished and non-company property will be removed from concession areas.
According to the company, the effort is required to support the realization of MDA pledges and open the door for important infrastructure projects. Nevertheless, some people have persisted in building buildings and farming within concession lines in spite of several warnings and public awareness campaigns. ArcelorMittal Liberia Local Government Relations Manager Lance Gbagonyon stated that the company’s efforts are concentrated on recovering and making use of its legally allocated concession land when he spoke to locals who were discovered clearing land and planting crops in areas currently being prepared for development.
According to Gbagonyon, one of the duties mandated by ArcelorMittal Liberia’s new MDA involves the restoration of Yekepa Township to its pre-war form. People have often said that AML is doing nothing, yet as the company proceeds with projects, some individuals are creating more issues by occupying concession land illegally. He pointed out that people should not anticipate compensation or resettlement benefits if they intentionally set up farms or build structures in concession areas.
Everyone, including AML employees who may have erected buildings or opened farms in concession areas, will not receive compensation. The government has made its position clear on this matter, he emphasized. Gbagonyon stated that ArcelorMittal Liberia does not have a specific budget for relocating those who intentionally created or occupied parts of the concession area.
“There is no budget line for resettlement of people who knowingly built houses or created farms on company land. Therefore, AML cannot guarantee compensation or resettlement for persons intentionally making gardens or constructing structures in areas already earmarked for clearing and development,” he added.
To prevent losses from demolition and land reclamation works, residents who are occupying or using concession land without permission are being asked to cease operations, leave impacted areas, and assist authorities.
