20 Years of Fruitful Investment -AML Celebrates Solid Impacts amid Dire Challenges

By Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr

YEKEPA – Celebrating 20th anniversary celebration of ArcelorMittal-Liberia in Yekepa, Nimba County, the Chief Executive Officer of the company reflected on the company’s hefty but rewarding two-decade journey, how it has overcome challenges like Ebola, COVID-19, and economic stagnation and still survived healthily, holding better relations with host communities and government.

Van Der Merwe emphasized the importance of celebrating the company’s growth and its ongoing efforts to benefit all of Liberia, not just the counties where it operates but government and other institutions in the country – something he said local leaders and government officials continue to acknowledge.

He said ArcelorMittal’s impact is seen all over the place, which is why many Liberians are urging the company to increase its economic contributions, as its production capacity expands.

Speaking at the Company’s 20 year anniversary celebration in Yekepa, Nimba County, on Friday April 4, 2025, Van Der Merwe said in the midst of Ebola and coronavirus outbreak in 2014 and 2019 respectively in a country struck by 14 years of civil war, AML has endeavored to create employments, educational opportunities as well as infrastructure development.

“We have been able to empower many Liberians either through job creation, infrastructure development, and education among others and are still doing more as the lead Concessionaire,” he said, further indicating that ArcelorMittal-Liberia Liberia started its operations in 2005 two years after Liberia’s fourteen years of civil crisis in the midst of an economic breakdown.

According to him, ArcelorMittal-Liberia has projected to deliver 15 million tons per annum, between 2022 and 2025, but has so far been able to generate 2.0 million tons in 2024 which is the highest since its establishment.

ArcelorMittal’s early investment focused on rehabilitating the country’s vital infrastructure, stressing that the company invested heavily in the repair of the 280 km Yekepa to Buchanan railway, which had been damaged during the war, and in the reconstruction of the Buchanan port.

The AML CEO stressed the importance of celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary, noting that it is intended showcasing and paying tributes to the gains they have made in Liberia over the years. He called on every Liberian not see the achievement as benefits to only AML operational areas like Nimba, Bong and Grand Bassa Counties, but the entire country.

CEO Michael Van Der Merwe lauded the leadership of the company’s operational counties, local leaders as well as community dwellers for support to the AML operations over the years.

Several stakeholders who attended the program made separate remarks, including the office of the superintendent, chiefs of Nimba, county, the head of the National Traditional Council of Liberia who variously thanked ArcelorMittal-Liberia for the impact made in the country.

They have however called on the company to do more in contributing to the country’s economy as they grow in their production, lauding the company for empowering more Liberians with employment, education and infrastructure development amongst others over the 20 years.

For his part, the chairman of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus, Representative Mianah Sylvester Saye lauded AML management for the level of work they have done in the period of two decades.

The Nimba County District number 8 Representative indicated that though the company has made significant impact in the life of Liberia, especially Nimba County, there is still more needed to be done.

According to him, as the company grows in production the affected communities, counties of operations and Liberians in general will expect an increase in their annual commitments, while stating that the Nimba County Legislative Caucus will meet the AML management on the way forward.

Reading the history of ArcelorMittal Liberia at the company anniversary celebration, a grade 9 student, Blessing Gono disclosed that AML, a key player in the country’s post-war economic revival, traces its origins back to 2004, when the company entered Liberia during the early stages of peace following the civil war.

According to Student Gono, the company’s significant role in the nation’s recovery began with a 25-year Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) signed in 2006.

She indicated that the agreement allowed the company to mine iron ore, marking a major step forward for Liberia’s industry after decades of instability.

Gono added that the company’s first iron ore shipment left Liberia in 2011, destined for Asturias, Northern Spain, and marked a historic moment for the county. It was the first time in over 20 years that Liberia exported iron ore, revitalizing the country’s mining industry and contributing to its economic resurgence.

The eloquent female student further said that AML funded the renovation of housing, and medical facilities in nearby villages, further cementing its commitment to the local community.

“The company’s mining operations, including its state-of-the-art concentrator plant, have allowed it to produce high-grade, high-value concentrate, with plans to increase its annual production capacity to 15 million tonnes,” he recalled, stressing that ArcelorMittal’s significant investments in the country have not only bolstered Liberia’s mining sector but have also created thousands of jobs, employing over 2,000 staff directly and providing opportunities for over 5,000 contractors.

Student Gono concluded that as Liberia continues to recover from its tumultuous past, ArcelorMittal’s role in shaping the nation’s economic future remains pivotal, with ongoing investments in sustainable mining practices and local development.

The ArcelorMittal-Liberia 20th anniversary celebration held in Yekepa, Nimba County brought together several officials of the Liberian government from the National Legislature, Executive which includes the Ministries of Labor, Mines and Energy, Internal Affairs as well as the National Bureau of Concession.