The investments cover mining operations, infrastructure, energy and social projects

Global steel producer ArcelorMittal’s total investment in Liberia is approaching $4 billion. This was stated by Michiel van der Merwe, CEO of ArcelorMittal Liberia, at an industry conference, SteelOrbis reports.

These investments cover mining operations, rail and port infrastructure, energy and social projects.

Approximately $800 million has been allocated to the restoration and expansion of the state-owned rail and port infrastructure that connects the company’s mines in Nimba County to the Port of Buchanan. Other mining companies wishing to use it will have to finance additional capacity for their own operations themselves. However, in the near term they will be able to rely on the existing spare capacity.

Van der Merwe also presented the company’s further plans. ArcelorMittal Liberia expects iron ore exports to exceed 20 million tonnes next year, compared to less than 5 million tonnes in 2024. In the long term, the company plans to reach annual production of 30 million tonnes.

The second phase of expansion in the country involves the construction of Liberia’s first large-scale iron ore beneficiation complex. It will produce high-grade concentrate for international steel companies. In particular, these products are expected to be shipped to new facilities using low-carbon steel production technologies.

An amendment to the existing Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) between the government and ArcelorMittal extended the company’s operations in the country until 2050, with the option of a further 25-year extension. The new agreement was signed in January 2026.

As a reminder, in June 2025, ArcelorMittal opened a modern concentrator with a capacity of 20 million tonnes per year in Tokadeh (Nimba, Liberia), one of the largest iron ore beneficiation plants in Africa.