Feature: A Railway Reborn–An Exclusive Look Inside ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Bold Upgrade And Expansion Of Liberia’s Railway

By: Austin Kawah and Kelvin Demey

At approximately 11:00 a.m. on September 24, 2024, we boarded the ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) helicopter for an aerial view of their rail operations, followed by an on-the-ground tour and an interview with Edwin Tokpa, Rail Operations Manager, one of Liberia’s own who is leading the transformation. We will share more from our interview with Tokpa in subsequent articles. Our recent tour marks the first time the media is granted exclusive access to AML’s efforts in our country, and we are here to provide a first-hand account of what we witnessed.

As AMLs helicopter rose over the newly built tracks glistening in the morning light, the scope of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s transformation of the Buchanan railway station was impossible to miss.

Below us, a network of shiny steel rails stretched out like veins, connecting the vital infrastructure that’s powering Liberia’s economic ambitions. The scene buzzed with activity as bulldozers and cranes worked alongside skilled crews installing state-of-the-art equipment—everything from a rail car dumper to an intricate conveyor system. It was clear: ArcelorMittal Liberia is serious about shaping the future of mining and exports in Liberia.

Our day began with a downpour, drenching the site and giving us an unfiltered look at the intensity of operations.  We know it is raining season in our country now, but experiencing this in a mining environment, demonstrates the dedication of our Liberians working hard to reinvigorate Liberia’s economy, with AML providing extensive support. Yet, despite the rain, the mood was one of determination, a feeling only amplified by seeing Liberians leading these efforts.

The sheer scale of the construction and upgrades was staggering, reflecting ArcelorMittal’s bold expansion project, not just for Liberia, but for Africa and the global iron ore market. Currently Liberia is being placed on the mining map, as a key forerunner to the second largest mining investment project on our African continent. We hope that from this, other investors will come to our country with the same dedication and determination that AML has shown.

The Yekepa-Buchanan railway, we learned, is central to this plan. As the company races toward completing a concentrator in Tokadeh, Nimba County, production is set to triple from 5 million tonnes of iron ore annually to 15 million, with a goal to reach 30 million tonnes per year. This is a significant investment for our country, one that stands to be truly transformational for the lives of many Liberians.

This rail line, once reduced to ruin during Liberia’s civil war, has been painstakingly rebuilt by ArcelorMittal Liberia. Now, it stands as an asset owned by the Liberian government and maintained by ArcelorMittal, critical to the country’s economic growth. The upgrades are ambitious, restoring full capacity while enhancing safety and security, which we saw first-hand during our visit.

However, not everyone seems to appreciate the extent of these efforts. ArcelorMittal has faced its share of challenges, with attempts to undermine the company’s investment through misinformation. These narratives have distracted from the tangible benefits the railway brings—job creation, revenue, and infrastructure development—and instead, offered empty promises from entities with little to no real investment in Liberia.

To truly understand the depth of ArcelorMittal’s investment, we took an exclusive flyover of the Yekepa-Buchanan railway. From above, it became clear how vital this infrastructure is to Liberia’s mining sector. Stretching across the landscape, the rail was in various stages of refurbishment, with notable improvements already in place. A particularly impressive feature was the transition from aging timber sleepers to durable steel ones, a move that will significantly boost the railway’s longevity and safety. The engineers we spoke with explained that these steel sleepers have a life expectancy of about 50 years—an investment in the future.

ArcelorMittal has also gone the extra mile with anti-theft measures, implementing high-end solutions like anti-theft fasteners, a response to the persistent issue of rail material theft. This commitment to safeguarding their operations reflects a broader strategy of long-term investment in Liberia.

Perhaps one of the most exciting developments we observed was the construction of a rail car dumper in Buchanan, part of the company’s Phase II expansion. This automatic offloading station is set to revolutionize the iron ore transportation process, streamlining operations, and boosting the port’s export capacity. We saw firsthand how this facility will reduce manual handling, increasing efficiency and setting the stage for future growth.

The upgrades don’t stop there. ArcelorMittal is bringing in 500 new wagons and nine new locomotives, further increasing operational efficiency. What’s more, the company is creating additional capacity on the railway to accommodate other users—an initiative that underscores their commitment to shared infrastructure that benefits Liberia.

Throughout the tour, we saw the pride that Liberians have in these efforts, from the engineers on the ground to the officials overseeing the massive upgrades. ArcelorMittal’s focus on building local capacity was evident in every corner of the operation. Liberians are not just benefiting from this investment—they are driving it.

Liberians constitute over 98-percent of the about seven hundred-member workforce of ArcelorMittal Rail and Port Departments.

For all the progress, however, the company faces significant hurdles in maintaining the railway, particularly due to theft. To combat this, ArcelorMittal has ramped up security, installing a new Positive Train Control System and strengthening community collaborations to protect the railway. Company officials stressed that this rail line belongs to the people of Liberia, and it’s up to all of us—local communities, government, and companies alike—to protect this critical asset.

As our visit came to an end, what struck me most was not just the scale of ArcelorMittal’s investment, but the clear sense that this railway is more than just a line of steel connecting towns and mines—it’s a lifeline for Liberia’s economic future. The Yekepa-Buchanan railway has risen from the ashes of war thanks to ArcelorMittal’s commitment and is poised to play a key role in positioning Liberia as a serious player in the global iron ore market.

This railway is not just about ArcelorMittal’s operations. It’s about Liberia’s future. AML, we hope to come and see you again, it is always welcoming when foreign entities in our country are truly being serious and investing in our country.