ArcelorMittal Liberia has clarified that it has never defied the Government of Liberia, but remained a law-abiding corporate partner, committed to honoring its mineral development agreement (MDA) with the government and continuing its constructive engagement with relevant authorities, including the ministries of Mines and Energy, Transport, and the National Investment Commission.
The steel giant’s clarification comes amidst an article published in Daily Observer’s April 10, 2025 edition, under the sensational headline, “ArcelorMittal Defies Liberian Government”.
The Daily Observer article claimed that efforts by the Government of Liberia (GOL) to advance its multiuser rail policy was temporarily obstructed between March 20 and 23, 2025 when ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) refused Ivanhoe Liberia’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) team access to non-operational areas under its current concession, where Ivanhoe Atlantic and the GOL are negotiating for investment purposes.
However, ArcelorMittal Liberia has categorically refuted the allegation, and termed the article as factually misleading and inaccurate, noting that the article grossly misrepresented AML’s conduct in relation to the Government of Liberia’s on-going engagements concerning access to rail infrastructure and the proposed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) by Ivanhoe Atlantic within AML’s concession area.
AML clarified that the request made contradicts the procedure agreed-to in the current MDA that AML has with the Government of Liberia, and disclosed that the third amendment to the MDA has provisions that would enable such requests, but that the amendment has not been concluded.
“The article’s central claim, that AML obstructed a government-sanctioned ESIA, is both misleading and inflammatory. AML’s decision not to grant Ivanhoe access to its Tokadeh mining area was not an act of defiance, but a decision grounded in the legal provisions of the MDA. No provision within the current MDA allows an unauthorized third-party access to the active mining zones, and none of the government’s communications provided a legal instrument to override that contractual stipulation.
“Moreover, the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s letter requesting AML’s cooperation was received on March 18, 2025, one day after the proposed commencement of the ESIA (March 17–21), effectively making timely review, coordination and response impossible. The Daily Observer’s article failed to present this crucial timeline; instead, it implied that AML ignored pre-existing and legally binding instructions, which is factually incorrect,” ArcelorMittal Liberia stated.
The company disclosed that its CEO responded formally to the Ministry of Mines & Energy in a letter dated March 21, 2025, clearly outlining the legal concerns surrounding Ivanhoe’s ESIA request and reiterating AML’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue to explore mutually agreeable solutions. The response also reaffirmed AML’s support for a multiuser rail system—an effort it continues to promote through lawful, negotiated frameworks that respect both its MDA rights and the government’s policy direction.
AML said it also received a letter from the National Investment Commission on March 14, 2025, which acknowledged AML’s concerns, affirmed its legal position under the MDA, and confirmed that these matters were under review by the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee with advice from the Ministry of Justice.
Contrary to the article’s assertion, ArcelorMittal noted that Ivanhoe’s ESIA team was not “blocked” arbitrarily. They conducted assessments in Buchanan, along the rail corridor, and near border areas—areas outside AML’s sensitive operational zones. The only restricted zone was the Tokadeh mine, an active and hazardous worksite where access requires rigorous legal, technical, and safety coordination.
ArcelorMittal Liberia’s response was contained in a letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Observer Newspaper, dated April 14, 2025, signed by its Communications Manager, Winston Daryou, in which it expressed deep concerns and strong objection to its article.
The company said, “It is disappointing that a newspaper of your stature chose to amplify anonymous commentary and speculative assertions, while disregarding readily available documentary evidence from AML and the government. The piece leans heavily into provocative language, such as describing AML as a ‘State within a State’, which undermines objective journalism and serves no constructive purpose in a complex national dialogue about shared infrastructure use.
“We respectfully request that the Daily Observer take steps to correct the public record by publishing this clarification with equal prominence in your next edition. We remain open to further dialogue with your editorial team should you seek balance and factual accuracy in future reporting,” the company asserted.
AML underscored that it stands by its record as Liberia’s largest and long-term foreign investor, a significant contributor to national revenue, and an employer of thousands of Liberians. “We continue to support infrastructure sharing, lawful collaboration, and the government’s vision for multiuser rail access, so long as it is implemented through structured, transparent, and legally sound processes.
“Let facts—not sensationalism—guide our national conversations. Let the law—not conjecture—determine our actions. And let mutual respect—not misinformation—govern our partnerships,” the company urged.