MONROVIA – ArcelorMittal is undertaking the task of refurbishing the 250-kilimoter railway between Buchanan and Yekepa, but this effort is being greatly undermined constantly by illegal scrap dealers who continue to remove metal plates and pins that secure the rails to the old wooden sleepers that are now obsolete and being replaced.

By Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

The refurbishment, according to the ore mining company, is part of its Phase 2 of its operations in Liberia that would expand the company’s operations in the country. According to ArcelorMittal, Phase 2 of its project in Liberia would see Liberia receiving the biggest investment in the mining sector in West Africa.

The ongoing work on the railway involves replacing old wooden ties with new steel sleepers, and it has already begun in Grand Bassa County, with approximately 40 kilometers of railway upgraded to date.

According to the company, the removal of the metal plates and pins endangers lives by causing instability in the rails.

FrontPageAfrica gathered that, this rash of thefts has resulted in two serious derailments of AML trains in the past three months, with the latest incident occurring in Nimba County at the beginning of October. In this most recent derailment, more than 20 ore wagons were destroyed, leading to a temporary closure of the railway. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The company laments that every day the railway remains closed signifies a day when ore cannot be transported from the mine, causing both AML and Liberia to incur substantial financial losses. According to the AML, a single week of lost exports translates into millions of dollars in lost revenue and royalties for the company and the country.

The situation is further exacerbated by the growing risk of harm to individuals involved in illegal scrap metal operations. As these individuals strip the railway of essential materials, the risk of accidents and casualties looms large, threatening lives and livelihoods in Liberia.

According to ArcelorMittal, it is actively collaborating with the Ministry of Justice and County Superintendents in Bassa, Bong, and Nimba to address this pressing issue as policing such an extensive railway network is challenging, thereby, necessitating the need to employ the involvement of communities along the railway who organize watch teams for the protection of the tracks.

Speaking to FrontPageAfrica on the matter, the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, said the Ministry has been holding conversations with the ArcelorMittal on the best possible way to provide security for the rail and other facilities. He also disclosed that the government is currently providing security for ArcelorMittal at its Buchanan facility and mining site in Yekepa.

Railways in Liberia comprised two lines from the port of Monrovia in the northeast, and one line to the port of Buchanan in the centre. The lines were built principally to transport iron ore. By 2010, only the Bong mine railway was operational but the Lamco Railway was rebuilt by ArcelorMittal and put back into service in 2011 as far as Tokadeh, Nimba County, allowing export of iron ore from the company’s mine on the Guinean border via the Port of Buchanan.

In August, AML reported a derailment on the rail involving one of its locomotives en route from the mines in Yekepa to the port in Buchanan.

The company disclosed that the derailment was due to the theft of railway fasteners by unknown individuals. There was no injuries or fatalities recorded.

ArcelorMittal Liberia’s railway operations have suffered many similar attacks and sabotage by criminals who remove rail sleepers and fasteners thereby posing huge risks of accidents.

YEKEPA, Nimba ─ ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has broken grounds for the construction of a community townhall and football pitch in Camp-four Township, Yekepa.

The combined estimated value of both projects is US$100,000.

It was a joyous moment for scores of community leaders and the township commissioner as well as District #3 Representative, Joseph Somwarbi, who expressed appreciation to AML management for the two projects and other programs that are benefitting residents of the area.

The projects are part of several community developments and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by ArcelorMittal Liberia, meant to promote community social development through stronger partnerships.

Performing the official groundbreaking for the projects, ArcelorMittal Liberia Chief Executive Officer, Jozephus Coenen said he was excited about the partnership between the company and Camp-four township to undertake key development projects, and assured ArcelorMittal’s continuous support to other meaningful projects to achieve the aspirations of communities.

CEO Coenen said he was pleased with the high level of involvement and representation of all stakeholders, including the women and youths of the township.

“As you know, we have already started the construction of the concentrator, to take our production up to 15mpta and then further up to 30mpt. It will generate a lot of value for us. It is not only ArcelorMittal. We also have to share that value through employment and training for Liberians who will become the future operators of the concentrator,” he said.

Camp-Four Township commissioner Rebecca Mulbah expressed gratitude to the management of ArcelorMittal Liberia for funding the construction of the townhall and football pitch, which she said will benefit residents of the area.

Meanwhile, Nimba District #3 Representative, Joseph Somwarbi, praised ArcelorMittal for the two projects, noting that they were evidence of a new day for the company and the people of its mining-impact communities.

“I am very proud to see that you have come again for us to continue to work on a very good footing. You’re again doing things we want you to do,” Rep. Somwarbi said.

“Once our people are happy, we will also be very happy with you. The joy of our people is the joy of us.”

He said the new approach of the company and its senior management team to visit and interact with people in its mining operation communities makes the locals feel part of them.” When completed the football pitch is expected to be a major assembly point for young people in Camp 4 and other nearby village and will help to promote peace and unity and healthy living through sports.