ArcelorMittal, the leading private sector investor in Liberia, seems fast approaching the fulfillment of its objective to construct an iron ore processing plant in Nimba County.
A recent visit to the construction site shows massive work on-going at the plant, which is expected to be dedicated in later part of 2023.
Heavy-duty machines were seen moving materials from one end of the open air filed to another, as construction work move far above the ground with huge logistics stockpile.
This construction is the first post-war iron ore processing plant in the country, and would add value to the current grade of ore ArcelorMittal Liberia is shipping to Europe.
Engineers say the plant will consist of vibrating feeder, jaw crusher, cone crusher, impact crusher, vibrating screen, belt conveyor, electric control panel, dust removal equipment, etc.
Given that the quality of ore currently mined in Nimba is low, ArcelorMittal is building the iron ore beneficiation plant as a solution that can help its mine operators convert millions of tons of low-grade iron ore into high-value saleable products.
In AML’s original Phase 2 expansion plan, the company agreed with the Government of Liberia (GOL) to invest up to US$1.2 billion to construct 15 million tons of concentrate capacity and associated infrastructure.
This project was however delayed due to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in 2014, coupled with the global COVID outbreak.
Despite the project delays and ensuing rapid deterioration of iron ore prices, ArcelorMittal in 2022 assessed options and made the decision to progress with the phase two project.
Since then, there has been huge logistical movement for the construction of the ore plant and other logistics that can enable production to move up to 15 tons and then 30 tons per annual.
Phase 2 will essentially move production away from “direct shipping ore”, a process in which the ore is mined and shipped in its natural state.