Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingban, has commended ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for its significant investments in transportation infrastructure, mining operations, improved healthcare services.
The minister encouraged ArcelorMittal to continue to continue its local empowerment and expand employment opportunities for Liberians.
Minister Tingban made the remarks during an inspection visit to AML’s operational facilities in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County over the weekend, as part of an ongoing nationwide tour aimed at assessing activities within Liberia’s mining sector.
The minister praised AML’s contributions to national development and emphasized the importance of maximizing the benefits of Liberia’s natural resources through responsible management and investment.
“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.”
During the visit, the minister toured key operational areas and received updates on the company’s ongoing investments and development initiatives.
In a presentation, AML executives provided a comprehensive overview of the company’s operations, from iron ore extraction and processing to rail and port logistics, while highlighting ongoing efforts to prioritize the recruitment and training of qualified Liberians across technical, administrative, and management roles.
“Our goal is to ensure Liberians are not just employees, but key drivers of our operations,” said AML Head of Human Resources and Organizational Development, Rebecca Kwabo-Buegar. “We continue to invest in training, skills transfer, and career advancement so that Liberians can take on increasingly complex roles within the mining sector.”
Discussions between the ministerial delegation and AML focused on employment trends, local content implementation, community impact, and mechanisms to ensure that host communities benefit directly from mining activities.
Minister Tingban commended AML for its high rate of Liberian employment but stressed that government expectations remain high regarding skills development, supplier opportunities for Liberian-owned businesses, and corporate social responsibility initiatives that deliver sustainable benefits to communities.
Speaking during the engagement, AML Chief Executive Officer Michiel van der Merwe welcomed the minister and expressed appreciation for his commitment to advancing the interests of Liberia and its people.
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 nationwide tour forms part of the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s efforts to strengthen engagement with key stakeholders, promote local participation in the extractive sector, and support the sustainable growth of Liberia’s mining industry.
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, enhancing 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.
