Buchanan, Grand Bassa County—The Government of Liberia, through Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingban, has commended ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for its significant investments in transportation infrastructure, mining operations, and improved healthcare services.
The minister encouraged ArcelorMittal to keep up its efforts to empower locals and increase job opportunities for Liberians. During an inspection visit to AML’s operational facilities in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, over the weekend, Minister Tingban made the statements as part of a statewide trip intended to evaluate operations within Liberia’s mining sector.
In addition to highlighting the significance of optimizing the advantages of Liberia’s natural resources through prudent management and investment, the minister commended AML’s contributions to national development.
“We encourage ArcelorMittal Liberia to continue creating more employment opportunities for Liberians in the mining sector,” Minister Tingban said. “When our natural resources are properly managed, they create jobs, generate government revenue, improve infrastructure, and strengthen the national economy.”
The minister received details on the company’s current investments and development projects while touring important operational areas. In a presentation, AML executives gave a thorough rundown of the company’s activities, including the extraction and processing of iron ore as well as rail and port logistics. They also emphasized the company’s continuous efforts to prioritize hiring and training competent Liberians for technical, administrative, and managerial positions.
Rebecca Kwabo-Buegar, head of Human Resources and Organizational Development at AML, stated, “Our goal is to ensure Liberians are not just employees but key drivers of our operations. To enable Liberians to take on increasingly complex roles within the mining sector, we continue to invest in training, skills transfer, and career advancement.”
The ministerial delegation and AML discussed employment trends, the usage of local content, the influence on the community, and ways to make sure that mining operations positively benefit host communities. Minister Tingban praised AML for employing a large number of Liberians but emphasized that the government still has high standards for skill development, supplier opportunities for Liberian-owned companies, and CSR programs that benefit communities in the long run.
AML Chief Executive Officer Michiel van der Merwe welcomed the minister and thanked him for his dedication to furthering Liberia’s and its people’s interests. Van der Merwe noted that the company remains committed to maintaining a strong partnership with the Government of Liberia and ensuring that mining activities continue to deliver meaningful benefits for both the country and its citizens.
“We appreciate the minister’s dedication to ensuring that Liberia’s mineral resources contribute to national development while creating value for Liberians,” van der Merwe said. “ArcelorMittal Liberia remains committed to responsible mining and sustainable investments that support economic growth, workforce development, and community advancement.”
The minister’s tour is expected to continue in Yekepa, Nimba County, where AML operates its iron ore mining activities and recently commissioned a state-of-the-art iron ore beneficiation concentrator plant. The facility, officially commissioned by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, represents a major milestone in the company’s ongoing expansion and value-addition efforts in Liberia’s mining industry.
The countrywide tour is a part of the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s initiatives to support the sustainable expansion of Liberia’s mining sector, encourage local involvement in the extractive industry, and improve engagement with important stakeholders. ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Phase II Expansion Project represents one of the largest private-sector investments in Liberia’s history and is expected to deliver significant long-term benefits to the country.
The expansion includes increased iron ore production capacity, major upgrades to the Yekepa-Buchanan railway, and the development of new port infrastructure in Buchanan to support higher export volumes. Beyond strengthening Liberia’s mining sector, the project is creating thousands of jobs during construction and operations, increasing opportunities for Liberian businesses and contractors, promoting technical training and skills development for the local workforce, and generating additional government revenue through taxes, royalties, and other contributions.
The investment is also expected to stimulate economic activity in surrounding communities, improve transportation infrastructure, and reinforce Liberia’s position as a competitive destination for responsible mining investment.
