Published: June 24, 2024
Buchanan, Grand Bassa County ─ ArcelorMittal Liberia has announced the appointment of Michiel Van Der Merwe as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 1, 2024. Michiel will report directly to Kleber Silva, Executive Vice President of ArcelorMittal and Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Mining, succeeding Jozephus (Joep) Coenen, who is retiring.
Michiel Van Der Merwe brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the mining industry, with a strong background in operations, processing, mine planning, and project management. He graduated in 1996 from the University of Pretoria with a Bachelor of Engineering in extractive metallurgy and began his career with Anglogold Ashanti. There, he advanced from senior plant metallurgist to metallurgical engineer by 1999.
Throughout his career, Michiel has held numerous senior positions in the mining sector. His roles have taken him to Mali, where he commissioned the Morila gold mine, and South Africa, where he managed several plants. In 2010, he joined Sylvania Resources as Chief Operations Manager. By 2012, he had moved to Gold Fields Ghana Ltd, eventually becoming the Vice President of Operations in January 2023, overseeing the Tarkwa and Damang operations.
ArcelorMittal Liberia expressed its gratitude to Jozephus (Joep) Coenen for his leadership and contributions to the company, wishing him well in his retirement.
In a statement, Michiel Van Der Merwe expressed his enthusiasm for his new role: “I am looking forward to getting started and spearheading the next chapter of the Phase II Expansion project. It is a privilege to be entrusted with leading ArcelorMittal Liberia at a time of such rapid growth, and I look forward to working with our stakeholders to deliver a project of great significance to the country.”
Kleber Silva, EVP and CEO of ArcelorMittal Mining, welcomed Michiel, stating, “I want to wish Michiel a warm welcome to ArcelorMittal Mining. He brings deep project, operations, and Africa experience that will be critical as ArcelorMittal Liberia progresses towards the remaining stages of the Phase II Expansion project. I am looking forward to working with Michiel to drive growth and development of our site and with our stakeholders. Finally, I would like to thank Jozephus (Joep) Coenen for his significant contribution and leadership of ArcelorMittal Liberia. We wish him the best in his retirement.”
Michiel’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for ArcelorMittal Liberia, as the company advances its ambitious Phase II Expansion project, which promises to bring significant growth and development to the region.
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