Tokadeh, Nimba County – Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Thursday commissioned ArcelorMittal Liberia’s long-anticipated $1.8 billion concentrator plant, marking what he described as “a turning point” in Liberia’s post-war economic transformation and industrial future. The symbolic launch of one of Africa’s largest iron ore beneficiation plants took place in Tokadeh, Nimba County—drawing a crowd of government officials, international dignitaries, investors, and residents from across the mining belt.
The massive project, central to ArcelorMittal’s Phase II expansion, is expected to increase Liberia’s annual iron ore output from 5 million to 20 million metric tonnes, positioning the country as a regional mining powerhouse and significantly enhancing its export earnings.
“This investment means a lot to many people,” Boakai said during the inauguration, standing alongside global steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. “We are launching a project that will touch the lives of Liberians across the country. This is not just an industrial development—this is hope, this is transformation.”
The Backbone of Liberia’s Mining Renaissance
Located in the heart of Nimba County’s iron-rich corridor, the new concentrator facility is a critical part of ArcelorMittal’s $3 billion commitment to Liberia. The project includes extensive infrastructure upgrades such as the expansion and modernization of the rail system from Tokadeh to Buchanan, the addition of a new deep-water pier, and advanced ore-handling equipment at the Port of Buchanan.
According to Mittal, the facility reflects not only a financial investment but a strategic vote of confidence in Liberia’s stability and future. “We would not have invested this scale of capital—nearly $3 billion—if we didn’t believe in Liberia and its people,” he said. “No other company has invested in this country as extensively or as long as ArcelorMittal has.”
Mittal noted that the company’s two-decade partnership with Liberia has resulted in the creation of over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and support for more than 200,000 citizens through community development initiatives, technical training, and infrastructure support. “The benefits are tangible,” he said. “From schools to roads to local employment, this project is deeply interwoven with Liberia’s development.”
Boakai’s Industrial Vision Meets Corporate Commitment
President Boakai, who recently marked one year six months in office, used the event to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to responsible foreign investment and national development driven by job creation, infrastructure growth, and local empowerment.
“This plant and the infrastructure around it show what is possible when we invest not only in extraction, but in transformation,” Boakai told the crowd. “The iron ore that leaves Liberia should not just be raw material—we must add value, create jobs, and build an industrial base for our future.”
In his speech, the president acknowledged the young Liberians undergoing technical training to operate the concentrator, calling them “the true face of Liberia’s tomorrow.”
“I saw young men and women being trained to run this complex facility,” Boakai said. “It shows what Liberia is capable of when our people are given the opportunity and tools to succeed.”
Superintendent’s Plea for Local Ownership and Accountability
Nimba County Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono described the launch as a milestone that signaled Liberia’s shift from raw extraction to value-added processing.
“Today we celebrate more than an industrial plant,” she said. “We mark a new chapter in Liberia’s economic history—one rooted in self-determination, local empowerment, and shared prosperity.”
However, Gono was also candid in calling for stronger local ownership and accountability. “We cannot afford to be mere observers in our own development story,” she said. “No concession should use public funds to manage development projects. AML must operate in line with our Public Financial Management Law and the Local Government Act of 2018.”
She emphasized that the scale of AML’s expansion must be matched with proportional investments in host communities—particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
“We urge that future agreements with AML reflect Liberia’s evolution beyond a post-conflict economy,” she added. “We are a functioning democracy, and our people deserve contracts that reflect our rightful aspirations.”
A Strong Message
Boakai used the moment to reiterate his personal commitment to Nimba County and to the mining sector.
“I told myself I wouldn’t come to Nimba until there was a special occasion,” he said. “So I didn’t come just for Nimba today—I came for you, Mr. Mittal, and for what this project represents.”
He thanked government technicians, lawmakers, and international partners who played key roles in securing permits and legislative approval for the project. “From those who reviewed the technical plans to those who signed the legislative instruments—thank you,” Boakai said. “You have contributed to something historic.”
Looking Ahead: Expansion, Stability, and Strategic Growth
Mittal disclosed that the company is already exploring further expansion, including the production of direct-reduced iron (DRI)-grade concentrate and leveraging Liberia’s railway network for increased throughput of up to 30 million tonnes of ore annually.
“This concentrator guarantees the long-term future of mining in Liberia,” Mittal said. “It allows us to meet international standards, open up new markets, and create even more jobs for Liberians.”
Boakai welcomed the prospect of further investments but made clear that the government would hold concessionaires to their commitments. “We do not want disruptions,” the president cautioned. “We will live up to our agreement—and we expect the same from our partners.”
Liberia’s International Standing and Investor Confidence
In a gesture that tied economic development to Liberia’s rising global profile, Mittal also congratulated President Boakai on Liberia’s recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2026–2027.
“It was unbelievable,” Mittal said. “But because of your leadership, President Boakai, you have gained this recognition. Liberia is now not just a place of investment—it is a voice at the global table.”
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