TOKADEH, NIMBA COUNTY – ArcelorMittal Executive Chairman, Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, has announced his company’s commitment to complete the long-awaited Ganta–Yekepa road project during the official commissioning of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s state-of-the-art iron ore concentrator in Tokadeh, Nimba County.

Speaking in the presence of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and senior government officials, Mr. Mittal declared that ArcelorMittal will fulfill its commitment to complete the paving of the approximately 70-kilometer road, which has long remained a priority infrastructure need for residents of Nimba County.

“President Boakai has always spoken to me about the importance of community,” Mr. Mittal said. “We take every concern from the Government of Liberia very seriously, and we are committed to continuing our investments in education, vocational training, and infrastructure—especially the Ganta–Yekepa road.”

Mr. Mittal’s pledge comes more than a decade after the company first committed between US$37–40 million for the paving of the road, which stretches from Ganta through Sanniquellie to Yekepa. 

Although the project began in 2013 as a voluntary contribution outside of the company’s Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), it was stalled by the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and a subsequent downturn in global iron ore prices.

By 2023, the company had completed the road as far as Sanniquellie. However, the final stretch to Yekepa—a key mining town—remained unpaved until now.

The road holds critical importance for residents in Nimba County. It is not only a strategic corridor for iron ore exports but also a lifeline for surrounding communities. It connects schools, hospitals, farms, and businesses across the region. Its completion is expected to reduce travel time, improve access to essential services, and lower transportation costs for both people and goods.

“For pregnant women needing urgent medical care, for children walking to school, and for farmers transporting their produce to markets, this road is more than asphalt—it’s survival and opportunity,” said a local elder who attended the commissioning ceremony.

The recommitment to complete the road is seen as a significant boost to Liberia’s development agenda and to President Boakai’s vision of rebuilding infrastructure as a cornerstone for national growth. 

With Nimba being one of Liberia’s most economically significant counties, improved road connectivity is expected to stimulate trade, enhance mobility, and increase access to economic opportunities.

Traders and transporters who have struggled with treacherous conditions, particularly during the rainy season, welcomed the news. “We’ve lost goods, missed market days, and spent double on repairs because of the bad roads,” said Marie Zoweh, a local businesswoman. “If this road is finished, it will change our lives.”

“The people of Nimba matter,” Mr. Mittal stated during his speech. “And the promises made to them must be fulfilled.”

Observers say the renewed commitment could mark a turning point in restoring trust between mining companies and local communities.

The completion of the Ganta–Yekepa road could serve as both a legacy project for President Boakai’s administration and a symbol of transformation for the people of Nimba County. 

“It’s been a long wait,” said Gabriel Suah, a local youth leader. “But today, with this promise, there’s real hope. We want to see the machines return and the work begin. We want to see progress.”

With ArcelorMittal Liberia’s expansion well underway and road completion now publicly reaffirmed, stakeholders are hopeful that the next phase will bring improved accountability, faster implementation, and transparent progress monitoring.

“Liberia is not just a source of iron ore,” Mr. Mittal concluded. “It is a partner in prosperity. And we are proud to walk that road—literally and figuratively—with the Liberian people.”

YEKEPA, Nimba County – ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), the country’s largest foreign investor and iron ore producer, will on Thursday, June 5, dedicate a cutting-edge iron ore concentrator in Yekepa, Nimba County. The ceremony will be attended by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and ArcelorMittal’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, in a momentous occasion for Liberia’s mining and industrial future.

The iron ore concentrator—West Africa’s first—is a centerpiece of AML’s ambitious Phase II Expansion Project, a multi-billion-dollar initiative to modernize Liberia’s mining infrastructure and significantly increase the country’s iron ore output.

The event marks a major milestone as AML celebrates 20 years of operations in Liberia, and underscores the company’s long-term commitment to national development and economic growth.

A Leap Forward in Liberia’s Industrial Development

With an investment exceeding $US2 billion, the Phase II project will triple AML’s iron ore production from 5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 20 Mtpa by 2025. The new concentrator—now mechanically complete and undergoing wet commissioning—is designed to upgrade lower-grade hematite ore (35–37% Fe) into high-grade magnetite concentrate with over 66% Fe content.

“This is a transformative step not just for ArcelorMittal, but for the entire Liberian economy,” said Winston Daryoue, Communications Manager at AML. “It means more jobs, higher revenue for the government, and a stronger industrial foundation for Liberia.”

President Boakai and Mr. Mittal to Attend

President Boakai is expected to deliver a key statement at the dedication, reaffirming the government’s support for responsible investment and sustainable development. Mr. Mittal’s participation further underscores the importance of the Liberian operation in ArcelorMittal’s global strategy.

Key Components of Phase II

The Phase II expansion spans four strategic domains. One is the Mine and Concentrator located in Nimba. At this component, 15 Mtpa iron ore concentrator is completed, new ore crushing and conveying systems, advanced infrastructure: power substations, tailings facilities, control rooms and strict environmental and safety standards are fully met.

The rail upgrade at the Yekepa–Buchanan Corridor is another key feature. This upgrade include over 440,000 new rail sleepers and 230,000 meters of track alignment completed, acquisition of 16 new locomotives and 700 wagons, over $125 million invested in rail logistics and rolling stock and modern signaling and communication systems installed for safer, more efficient operations

The port expansion in Buchanan, Grand Bassa has seen the extension of berth to handle Panamax vessels, new shiploader with 6,000–8,000 tonnes per hour capacity andenhanced stockyards, stackers, reclaimers, and environmental control systems.

It has also seen the boost of Socioeconomic and Environmental Impact that has generate over 3,000 direct jobs for Liberians created during construction, additional thousands of indirect jobs supported, investments in healthcare, education, and community infrastructure. AML remains Liberia’s largest taxpayer and top contributor to national revenues. In addition full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has been conducted and approved.

20 Years of Partnership with Liberia

ArcelorMittal began its operations in Liberia in 2005 with the signing of the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA). Since then, it has played a pivotal role in the country’s post-war economic recovery and industrialization.

Timeline of Key Milestones:

• 2005 – MDA signed with the Government of Liberia

• 2011 – Commencement of Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) operations

• 2012 – First iron ore exported through Buchanan Port

• 2022 – Reactivation of Phase II expansion

• 2025 – First shipment of high-grade magnetite concentrate expected

Looking Ahead

Once fully operational, the new concentrator and associated infrastructure will position Liberia as a leading exporter of high-grade iron ore in the global market. AML’s investments are also designed to ensure long-term sustainability—both economically and environmentally.

“This project goes beyond mining. It is an integrated industrial corridor from mine to port that transforms communities, modernizes national infrastructure, and elevates Liberia’s role in global supply chains,” AML stated.