Monrovia, Liberia – In the early 2000s, Liberia emerged from the ashes of a civil war at a crossroads, fighting to rebuild infrastructure, reconstruct its economy, and give hope to a wounded populace.
An important foreign investor, ArcelorMittal, entered the picture in 2005 when the nation made its first democratic moves toward peace and recovery. Now, twenty years later, the influence of ArcelorMittal Liberia is interwoven with the country’s post-war economic, social, and structural development.
In August 2005, the first significant foreign investor to sign a mineral development agreement (MDA) with the Liberian government following the conflict was ArcelorMittal. With a pledge to rebuild mining infrastructure that had fallen apart during the civil war, this deal signaled the resurgence of Liberia’s once-thriving iron ore industry.
With a focus on full restoration and revalorization of the damaged railway, the business promptly started construction on the Yekepa-Buchanan iron ore corridor. It repaired the Buchanan Port and the railway line that went from Nimba to Grand Bassa, both of which had been abandoned and in disrepair for more than ten years. Since then, these resources have developed into vital logistics hubs for AML’s operations as well as other business ventures in Liberia.
AML has grown over the years to rank among the nation’s biggest employers in the private sector. ArcelorMittal has provided livelihoods for families in Nimba, Grand Bassa, and Bong Counties with more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs, with thousands more to be generated as the firm grows through contractors and service providers.
With the signing of the Phase II extension project in 2021, AML pledged to create even more employment, including the development of rail and port infrastructure and the building of a cutting-edge ore concentrator in Yekepa that is almost dedicated. It is anticipated that this initiative would give Liberians thousands additional jobs. The recent hiring of 236 young people who have received training at the fully supported ArcelorMittal Training Academy in Yekepa as craftsmen and process operators served as evidence.
Since 2007, ArcelorMittal has contributed more than $50 million to impacted communities through its social development fund. Local authorities have utilized these $3 million yearly grants to construct community centers, schools, clinics, and roads.
These monies have enabled the construction of a state-of-the-art government hospital wing in Grand Bassa. Communities in Nimba take pride in their brand-new feeder roads, guest cottages, and market buildings. Despite ongoing fund management difficulties, the corporation has consistently made contributions.
Recognizing the value of long-term human capital, ArcelorMittal established the AML Training Academy in Yekepa, which is based on international technical schools. Hundreds of young Liberians have received degrees in mining, electrical, and mechanical engineering since the academy’s founding.
Almost all of these graduates have gone on to work for AML, obtaining upward mobility and globally renowned capabilities. Additionally, the company funds Liberians’ overseas higher education, especially in the fields of mining and metallurgy.
ArcelorMittal is one of the biggest taxpayers in Liberia, paying over millions of dollars in taxes, royalties, and charges to the national treasury each year. These monies assist public service delivery, infrastructure development, and government operations.
AML was one of the first private sector organizations to offer emergency help during the peak of the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and again during COVID-19, delivering food aid, medical supplies, and personal protective equipment to impacted communities and medical personnel.
AML has recently increased its efforts in community involvement and environmental management. In addition to performing biodiversity research and making sure its activities adhere to international environmental standards, the corporation is repairing damaged land.
Given ArcelorMittal Liberia’s proven track record of revitalizing vital infrastructure, generating thousands of jobs, paying millions in taxes, and making significant investments in community development and human capital over the previous 20 years, the government of Liberia must fully support the company’s Phase II expansion.
In addition to being a daring move toward modernizing the mining industry in the nation, this development offers a catalyst for strengthening Liberia’s industrial capacity, increasing its economic resilience, and establishing the country as a major player in the world market for iron ore production.
More jobs for Liberians, increased government income, and long-term, sustainable development led by one of the most dependable and dedicated business partners in the nation’s post-war rebuilding process are all benefits of supporting AML’s expansion.
