AML’s Concentrator to Refine Liberian Ore for Global Market Value -Represents Company’s Phase II Expansion’s Flagship Component

MONROVIA: President Joseph Boakai and ArcelorMittal Executive Chairman Lakshmi Mittal, on Thursday, 5 June, attended an inauguration event, commissioning a new 20 million-tonne capacity concentrator at Mount Tokadeh, Nimba County, North of Liberia.

The dedication marked the first time Liberian a historic producer of iron ore has had a concentrator, a step further to value addition as emphasized by Anthony Kochcen, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Chief Operating Officer

The new concentrator is a flagship component of ArcelorMittal’s Phase II Expansion, representing a $1.8 billion investment. Overall, the company’s total investment in Liberia as of now exceeds $3.5 billion — one of the largest in West Africa’s mining history.

This facility will enable AML to convert medium-grade ore into high-grade concentrate on Liberian soil, significantly increasing the value of Liberia’s resources. It marks the completion of one of the largest industrial complexes ever built in the country.

Making remarks at the dedication, President Boakai praised ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for long years of investment in Liberia and described the new investments confidence in Liberia’s economy and national security.

Said President Boakai: “This level of expansion of investment is a testament to the increasing confidence in the security and well-being of the state, as well as the current state and future direction of this country’s investment climate. This brings great relief to our economy, noting that it is impacting the area of job creation. We are informed that this has already created over 5,000 on-site construction jobs and is expected to generate 1,000 permanent job roles upon its completion.

“No doubt, such a huge expansion augurs well for the enrichment of the corporate social responsibility envelope, thereby positively impacting areas of health, education, commerce, and employment. We commend ArcelorMittal Liberia for this bold and courageous step and further urge it to press forward with its other investment pursuits like the Railway Expansion, Port Enhancement, and Power Plant Installations.”

Mr. Lakshmi Mittal also responded with enthusiasm, saying: “This state-of-the-art concentrator guarantees the long-term future of mining in Liberia. It will quadruple our capabilities from 5 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes, continue to provide jobs for thousands of Liberians, and make an important contribution to Liberia’s economic prosperity.

“We are very proud of the contribution we have made to this country over the last 20 years. We very much enjoy being part of the community and take our responsibility to the country and its people very seriously. Part of this contribution has related to significant infrastructure upgrades, including roads, townships, and power generation, which I hope will have a broader positive impact on the local economy.

Key Technical features of the Phase Two Expansion include a processing capacity of increased from 5 million to 20 million metric tons annually (MTPA), Crushing & grinding circuits: State-of-the-art technology, Magnetic separation systems.

Improved efficiency, Environmental safeguards that include Advanced tailings and waste management systems, Rail and Port Integration, and the Upgraded Buchanan Port with expanded infrastructure and large material handling capacity

Key among the new investment in the phase two expansion is the 243 km modernized Tokadeh–Buchanan railway upgrade on which AML as spent more than 800 million. The upgrade is executed by contractors, including WBHO, the works include rail and sleeper replacement, track geometry correction, ballast renewal, and expansion of Buchanan rail yards and passing loops.

Apart from the installation of 440,000 new sleepers and correction of 230,000 meters of track geometry correction (line, level, tamping), an additional USD 25 million in contracted rail services is currently in progress.

ArcelorMittal has also built a USD 135 million new rolling stock station in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. These are 16 new locomotives and 700 wagons to meet 15 Mtpa rail throughput requirements. This acquisition supports phased expansion and rolling efficiency. Moreover, there is the USD 70 million rail remediation materials procurement covering the purchase of rails, steel sleepers, fasteners, and other critical track infrastructure components. The rail expansion works also involve the USD 20 million workshop construction in Buchanan, a new, state-of-the-art maintenance facility for locomotives and wagons located at the port to service both existing and new rolling stock.

ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading integrated steel and mining company with a presence in 60 countries, having over 126,000 employees and has its primary steelmaking operations in 15 countries. It is the largest steel producer in Europe, among the largest in the Americas, and has a growing presence in Asia through its joint venture AM/NS India.