ArcelorMittal Defends Billion-Dollar Footprint Amid Rising Expectations
Monrovia, Liberia – ArcelorMittal Liberia has maintained its efforts in infrastructure, education, and community development while accepting calls for quicker progress in the midst of increased public expectations and criticism over its social impact. Speaking after hosting a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Mines and Energy on a three-day tour of the company’s operations in Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties, Michiel Van Der Merwe, CEO of ArcelorMittal Liberia, described the company as a mining behemoth that is going beyond ore production to transform communities.
“We cannot separate ourselves from the communities,” Van Der Merwe said, insisting that the company’s success is directly linked to the well-being of people living around its operations. Government representatives visited the Yekepa township, where significant rehabilitation work is underway, as well as the Buchanan Port facilities, railway infrastructure, processing plants, and mining operations in Gangar.
Van Der Merwe added that ArcelorMittal has completed a number of community projects, including building water kiosks, renovating over 500 housing units, building roads, renovating Yekepa Township, building sports facilities and supporting public infrastructure, such as police facilities in Sanniquellie. The CEO acknowledged that communities want projects finished more quickly but stated that quality is the company’s first priority.
“Everybody wants to see it happen faster,” he acknowledged. “But we also want to make sure we deliver good quality projects and that everybody is happy with the result.”
More than 17 local contractors are currently engaged in ongoing construction projects, according to the company, which added that local participation is still crucial to its expansion efforts. The company’s Vocational Training Center (VTC), which committed over US$14 million to train Liberians for skilled professions, is one area that Van Der Merwe called a huge success story.
He maintained that over 200 Liberians have finished training courses and are currently working full-time for the company. “These people came from Liberia, studied here without paying a cent, received stipends while studying, and are now working in our mines and plants,” he said.
The CEO also emphasized what he described as strong cooperation with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, saying government regulators and company officials maintain regular engagement on mining operations and infrastructure projects. “We are actually partners because ArcelorMittal Liberia also belongs to the people of Liberia,” he said.
However, while company officials highlighted achievements, Van Der Merwe admitted that community demands remain high, particularly in areas affected by unemployment and economic hardship. “The expectations are high. We know there is a lot of unemployment in Liberia,” he said, adding that the company intends to expand alternative livelihood programmes aimed at reducing dependence on mining activities.
Van Der Merwe maintained that community relations are still largely good despite ongoing criticism from some host towns, especially over job possibilities and local benefits. “When I walk around Buchanan or Yekepa or Zolowee, I don’t feel an angry community,” he said. “But we know there is still a lot more we need to do.”
The remarks coincide with mounting pressure on large concession corporations to show how development has a noticeable impact on the communities where their billion-dollar natural resource operations are located.
