ArcelorMittal Liberia, one of the country's largest investors in the mining sector, has reaffirmed its commitment to Liberia's development agenda. The company's Chief Executive Officer, Michiel van der Merwe, highlighted its investments in iron ore production, railway infrastructure, and industrial expansion as key drivers of economic growth. Speaking at the Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference and Expo (LIMEC), van der Merwe stated that Liberia has the mineral resources, strategic location, and investment potential needed to compete in the global mining and energy sectors.
The conference, held at the Farmington Hotel, marks the return of a major mining and energy gathering in Liberia after approximately 15 years. Van der Merwe told the gathering that the future of Liberia's economic growth depends partly on the country's ability to capitalize on its natural resources while building strong partnerships among government, investors, industry players, and local communities. He noted that countries capable of providing stable investment conditions, strong partnerships, and high-quality mineral resources are better positioned to attract investment and compete in international markets.
According to van der Merwe, Liberia possesses many of these advantages but must strengthen collaboration and demonstrate sustained commitment to translate its potential into lasting prosperity for its citizens. He also emphasized the importance of developing Liberian talent, saying investments in human capital would help ensure that future generations can lead and sustain the industries being established today. This, he believes, will help Liberia move up the value chain and produce premium iron ore concentrate for international markets.
Van der Merwe explained that ArcelorMittal Liberia's experience demonstrates the benefits of long-term partnerships built on trust, commitment, and a shared development vision. He pointed to the company's Phase II Expansion Project as evidence of its long-term commitment to Liberia, describing the investment as a major transformation of the country's iron ore industry. The commissioning of Liberia's first large-scale iron ore concentrator represents a significant milestone for both the company and the country.
Beyond its investment in the concentrator, the AML chief threw light on the rehabilitation and expansion of the railway linking the company's mining operations at Tokadeh to the Port of Buchanan. ArcelorMittal has invested approximately US$800 million to date in rehabilitating the railway and expanding its capacity to accommodate the company's planned growth. The railway is critical infrastructure for supporting future mining operations and creating opportunities for other investors to transport minerals through the corridor.
Van der Merwe revealed that ArcelorMittal Liberia is preparing to increase its iron ore exports to more than 20 million tons in 2027, up from less than five million tons exported in 2024. The projected increase follows the introduction of the company's new concentrator and the expansion of supporting infrastructure. The company is also planning to increase production capacity at its mines to 30 million tons, noting that the current railway expansion already accommodates this anticipated growth.
The planned expansion is expected to strengthen Liberia's position in the international iron ore market while increasing demand for supporting services and infrastructure. Van der Merwe reiterated ArcelorMittal Liberia's commitment to working with the Government of Liberia to ensure that the Tokadeh-to-Buchanan railway remains accessible to other mining companies. The Third Amendment to the company's Mineral Development Agreement provides for the railway to be open to other users, with the Government of Liberia determining which additional companies may access the corridor.
Key points
- ArcelorMittal Liberia commits to investing in Liberia's development agenda.
- The company plans to increase iron ore exports to over 20 million tons by 2027.
- The railway expansion project is a critical infrastructure for supporting future mining operations.
