New U.S. Ambassador Mark Toner Visits ArcelorMittal Liberia Buchanan Concession

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner, made a significant visit to ArcelorMittal Liberia’s concession area in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The visit, seen as a signal of the U.S. government’s interest in the country’s key private sector investments, marked Ambassador Toner’s first engagement with a private firm since arriving in Liberia.
The ambassador and his delegation met with senior management from ArcelorMittal, including Joseph Mathews, Head of Government and Community Relations, and Michiel Van Der Merwe, CEO of ArcelorMittal Liberia. The delegation was given a comprehensive briefing on the company’s operations, focusing on the mines, the railway, the port, and the highly anticipated Phase II expansion project. This expansion aims to significantly increase ArcelorMittal’s iron ore production in Liberia from 5 million tons per year to approximately 15 million tons annually.
The U.S. Embassy delegation also toured key operational sites in Buchanan. They observed the construction of new rail and port facilities, both central to the Phase II expansion. Following the tour, Ambassador Toner expressed his appreciation for the progress made and stated his intent to visit ArcelorMittal’s Yekepa mining site, where a concentrator is under construction.

While the visit highlighted positive developments, there were also undercurrents of concern regarding ArcelorMittal’s Third Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Liberian government. Sources suggest that while Ambassador Toner commended the investment, he raised questions about the ongoing issues surrounding the MDA, though specific details were not disclosed.
The Phase II expansion project, a cornerstone of ArcelorMittal’s commitment to Liberia, involves extensive upgrades to both mining and transport infrastructure. In addition to expanding mining operations in Nimba County, the company is rehabilitating the 243-kilometer Yekepa-Buchanan railway and upgrading Buchanan port facilities. These improvements are expected to bolster the country’s economy through job creation, increased exports, and greater government revenue from taxes and royalties.

However, despite these potential benefits, the MDA remains a sensitive issue for stakeholders in both the Liberian government and the private sector. Mining experts continue to view the Phase II expansion as a long-term investment in the country’s development, but challenges surrounding the agreement could complicate progress.

Ambassador Mark Toner, who arrived in Liberia in mid-September 2024, replaced Michael A. McCarthy as the U.S. Ambassador. His visit underscores the U.S. interest in supporting private investment in Liberia’s key economic sectors, particularly the mining industry, which plays a crucial role in the country’s export economy. The coming months will reveal whether concerns about the MDA will impact the further progress of ArcelorMittal’s investments in Liberia.