…Who Is Really Benefiting From AML’s Billions?
By Amos Harris
ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) Chief Executive Officer Michiel van der Merwe has called for stronger collaboration and commitment between the Liberian Government and the private sector to accelerate the country’s investment climate. However, his appeal comes amid growing questions about whether the company’s multibillion-dollar investments in Liberia are translating into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Liberians and communities affected by its mining operations.
Speaking at the just-ended Liberia International Mining and Energy Conference and Expo (LIMEC 2026), van der Merwe maintained that Liberia possesses the natural resources, strategic geographical position, and economic potential needed to compete in the global economy. He described the country as an important investment destination, noting that ArcelorMittal has identified Liberia as one of its three major global investment priorities, alongside the United States and India.
According to the company, it has invested nearly US4billioninLiberia’sironoresectorsince2005,includingapproximatelyUS800 million toward rehabilitating and expanding the government-owned 243-kilometer railway connecting its mining operations in Nimba County to the Port of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County.
The company also highlighted the establishment of West Africa’s largest iron ore concentrator plant under its Phase II expansion project. The facility is designed to process lower-grade iron ore into higher-quality concentrate, increasing the commercial value of Liberia’s mineral resources and supporting international steel production.
Van der Merwe disclosed that the company is targeting an increase in annual iron ore production to 20 million tonnes by early 2027, compared with less than five million tonnes in 2024. The company is also considering another expansion phase that could increase production capacity to 30 million tonnes annually.
While these investment figures present a significant opportunity for Liberia’s economic development, questions remain about how much of the country’s mineral wealth is directly benefiting ordinary citizens, particularly residents of mining communities who continue to demand better living conditions, employment opportunities, and essential social services.
Although AML says its operations support more than 11,700 direct jobs, with Liberians representing approximately 89 percent of its workforce, concerns have been raised about workers’ living conditions, including accommodation and other welfare-related issues. These concerns require transparent examination by the company, government regulators, and workers’ representatives.
The situation also raises questions about the actual impact of the company’s operations on host communities in Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties. Despite reported contributions of US$53.2 million to the County Social Development Fund, questions remain about the distribution, management, and visible impact of these funds on education, healthcare, roads, safe drinking water, and other essential public services.
Of particular concern are reports and complaints from some traditional leaders and community representatives who say their communities continue to struggle with basic necessities, including food assistance, despite the extensive mining activities taking place in their areas. Such concerns deserve serious attention rather than being overshadowed by investment announcements and production targets.
The central question is whether the benefits of Liberia’s mineral wealth are reaching the people who live closest to the mining operations or whether the greatest gains are concentrated among government officials, influential individuals, and corporate stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the company’s emphasis on a multi-user railway framework, which would allow other mining companies to utilize the upgraded rail infrastructure, could improve competition, reduce transportation challenges, and create broader economic opportunities. However, the government must ensure that the arrangement produces measurable national benefits and does not simply facilitate increased mineral exports without corresponding improvements in public welfare.
Van der Merwe also pointed to the passage of the Third Amended Mineral Development Agreement as an important signal to international investors that Liberia is prepared to provide a stable and predictable investment environment. Nevertheless, investment stability must go hand in hand with transparency, accountability, environmental protection, and respect for the rights and welfare of affected communities.
While ArcelorMittal Liberia continues to promote its multibillion-dollar investments and expansion plans, the Boakai administration must demonstrate that Liberia’s natural resources are being managed in the interest of the wider population and not merely as a source of revenue and economic opportunities for a privileged few.
Ultimately, Liberia needs more than impressive investment figures, railway expansion, and increased iron ore production. It needs decent employment conditions, improved community infrastructure, responsible mining practices, and visible development for citizens in areas where the country’s natural resources are extracted.
The question remains: if nearly US$4 billion has been invested in Liberia’s mining sector, why do some communities hosting these operations still complain about inadequate basic services and limited development benefits?
Until these concerns are addressed with verifiable evidence, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s investment success will continue to face scrutiny over whether its economic achievements are delivering meaningful benefits to the ordinary people of Liberia.