US Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner, visited ArcelorMittal Liberia operations, leaving with a positive impression about the significant investment the company has made in the county, which he believes will help Liberia with its long-term human and economic development.
During the visit and tour of the concentrator, Ambassador Toner noted ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML), investment as “significant to the Liberian economy”. As the biggest investment so far, he said the investment would help the country to address the problems of education and unemployment. The ambassador also underscored the need for the Liberian government to attract new sources of substantial foreign investment given the potential Liberia has to offer in sectors such as mining and tourism.
The Ambassador and his team were received on site by ArcelorMittal Mining Head of Finance, R.C. Saraf, and General Manager, Joseph Mathews, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Chief Executive Officer Michiel Van Der Merwe, Chief Operating Officer Anthony Kocken, and heads of departments, including Marcus Wleh of Sustainability and External Relations, Rebecca Kwabo-Buegar, Human Resources and Organizational Development, and Charlesetta Peters, Head of Social Services amongst others.
Kocken highlighted AML’s contributions and positive impact in Liberia in areas such as employment and capacity building. The group toured the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy, where local Liberians are trained to become artisans, and their subsequent employment is one example of a major investment that will lead to long-term economic and social benefits for Liberians. The AML COO also mentioned the strong relationship between the company and nearby communities through which unskilled residents are prioritized for general work that does not involve much technical skills to do. He further detailed the company’s support to community projects such as agriculture, which allows farmers in local communities to receive grants under AML’s Biodiversity and Conservation Program.
At the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy (AMLTA), Victor Loubser, Acting Manager of the academy also briefed the U.S. Ambassador about the quality of training the institution provides and the employment opportunities that follow upon graduation. He said currently, the training academy has absorbed all its graduates, ensuring full employment of all trainees.
Chief Operating Officer, Anthony Kocken, also briefed the Ambassador and his entourage as they toured the concentrator project, noting that it has the capacity to produce 15 million tons of concentrate ore per annum, which will commence operations here by July 2025, producing a value-added product that is in high demand for the steel industry.
AML’s management also used the occasion to inform the Ambassador that the company fully supports the government’s Multi-user Rail Policy. Mathews said that, with the ongoing expansion, ArcelorMittal Liberia has increased the railway capacity and, while other companies can utilize surplus capacity temporarily, they must also expand it further for their own needs.
The U.S. Ambassador’s visit underscored a strong commitment to fostering continued partnership in key sectors like education, healthcare and vital community infrastructure as Liberia continues to expand its role in the regional and global economy. The visit also reconfirmed the U.S. government and AML’s shared commitment to support President Boakai’s vision of creating a multi-user rail system.
