ArcelorMittal Liberia has announced Joep COENEN as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Joep COENEN joins ArcelorMittal from Ambatovy JV in Madagascar where he led the mining team as Director, Mining Operations. He has worked in mining operations across the world including Australia, Papua New Guinea, Guinea, Mauritania, Ghana, as well as Liberia, for various companies, on projects, and in both underground and open pit operations.
The announcement of new CEO COENEN to oversee ArcelorMittal Liberia was made Wednesday, March 1 by Stefan Buys, Executive Vice President and CEO, ArcelorMittal Mining.
In his message CEO Buys heartedly welcomed the new ArcelorMittal Liberia CEO COENEN and wished he and the team in Liberia all the best.
CEO COENEN replaces Scott Lowe.
European Union Parliament Responds to ArcelorMittal in Liberia Question
The European Union (EU) High Representative and Vice-President Josep Borrell on February 1, 2002 responded to a question that was raised by Romanian MEP Ramona Strugariu in the EU Parliament back in December 2021, which raised concerns about ArcelorMittal Liberia's Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Government of Liberia.
High Representative Borrell responded that he was aware of the ongoing ratification of the amended ArcelorMittal Liberia MDA and described the deal as the largest in the country and will be one of the largest mining projects in West Africa.
The full text of the response is as follows:
"The High Representative/Vice-President is aware that the Government of Liberia and Arcelor Mittal (AM) reached an agreement, which is currently under ratification by the Congress of Liberia, to amend the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) and to expand mining and logistic operations of the company in Liberia. The AM investment is by far the largest in the country and will be one of the largest mining projects in West Africa. One of the objectives of the amended MDA is to share the railway among the three mining companies in Liberia and in Guinea so that transport services are open to the two other mining companies in Guinea."
"The EU is promoting good governance and the rule of law and supporting sustainable and inclusive development in its policy dialogues and cooperation with partner countries including Liberia. This includes the promotion of human rights and responsible business conduct in line with United Nations Guiding Principles, and applies to all sectors of intervention, including mining.
"There are benefits for the country and its citizens, foreign investments being essential for Liberia's development. For the EU this investment, with its link to the viability of a decarbonised steel industry in Europe, is of high importance.
"The EU will continue its dialogue on economic governance with the government, to support responsible mining practices in compliance with the internationally agreed labour and environmental standards and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative."
In September 2021, the Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal signed a landmark amendment to the company's Mineral Development Agreement ('MDA') which paved the way for additional investment of an approximately USD $ 800 million to expand the ccompany's mining and logistics operations in Liberia.
With the MDA amendment coming into effect, ArcelorMittal Liberia will significantly ramp up production of premium iron ore, generating significant new jobs and wider economic benefits for Liberia. The expansion project encompasses processing, rail and port facilities and the construction of a new concentration plant as well as the substantial expansion of mining operations, with the first concentrate expected in late 2023, ramping up to 15 million tonnes per annum ('mtpa').
More than 2000 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase, with Liberians envisaged to fill the majority of the roles created. As the largest foreign investor in Liberia, ArcelorMittal Liberia has already invested over $1.7 billion in the country over the past 15 years.
Under the new amendment, AML's annual CSDF payments will increase up to $3.5 million after the amendment is ratified. Currently, 20% of the CSDF is being allocated to specific programs selected by the counties and communities, which AML is financing directly to the communities. With Government agreeing to direct 100% of CSDF contribution directly to the 3 counties, a huge opportunity will be created for the undertaking of many other community development programs in these 3 counties.
AML's contribution to Government revenues (from royalties, taxes, duties, etc), will increase from the current level of USD $30-40 million annually to approximately $75 million annually when Phase 2 is ramped up.
ArcelorMittal Liberia Mine Communities Vow to be Peace Ambassadors
Residents of ArcelorMittal Liberia communities of impact in Nimba have committed to peacefully engage with the company in resolving issues, void of violence.
The residents made the commitment at a one-day consultative meeting during a visit with Internal Affairs Minister, Varney Sirleaf, and a team of AML executives, headed by interim CEO, Mahama Haidara, in Gbapa.
As a testament to their commitment, the residents in a display of honor on February 18 gowned Minister Sirleaf and Interim CEO Haidara and also bestowed on them the Mano names of Gonotee and Kehwaillian, as their respective traditional names.
Mr. Haidara thanked the communities for their peaceful resolution and promised that the company will play its part to sustain the friendly relationship.
"It is good that when there is an issue, we sit together like this to discuss and fix it objectively, and I am sure that this type of meeting will continue," he said.
He also welcomed the communities' commitment to peaceful co-existence. "We will be here for a long time when the MDA is finalized. If the community is not happy, it will be difficult to make business and if business does not run smoothly, it will be difficult for us to develop the community. It means we are two legs of one body."
AML Head of Government and Community Relations Marcus Wleh said the citizens' concerns including scholarships and training for the young people were being highly considered by the company.
He said the company will also ensure that the 20 percent withheld from the annual County Social Development Fund contribution for development projects in communities directly impacted by the company's operations is used appropriately.
Wleh disclosed that AML has also undertaken various projects to enhance community development around its operational areas. Among them are the $35,000 Zolowee school renovation project and the $35,000 Gbaapa community clinic project (all ongoing), and the $45,000 G.W. Harley Hospital renovation project and others.
For his part, Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf assured the citizens of the government's continued support and called on them to remain truthful to their promise to be peaceful and not to obstruct the operations of the company.
"You heard all that ArcelorMittal has done and said it will do. And having this sacrifice means you have agreed to approach every issue peacefully, seeing to it that the government and everyone else has failed before putting the Bushmaster on the train track.
Celebrating Academic Excellence as AML High School Graduates 22 with 100% Success in WASSCE Exam
Twenty-two (22) young Liberian teenagers at the weekend excitedly waved goodbye to high school, as they walked out of the walls of the ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) High School in Yekepa.
All students at the AML High School who sat the 2021 West African Secondary School Certificate Exam (WASSCE) made a successful pass.
Hundreds of family members, parents of the graduates, and well-wishers graced the colorful ceremony held in the Yekepa Theatre and commended ArcelorMittal Liberia for investing in the future of their children by providing free and top-quality high school education for them.
Speaking Saturday during the graduation ceremony of the senior students, AML Superintendent of Schools, Peter Zuagar said the class valedictorian, Victor Lablah was named among students nationwide who passed at least five subjects, including Mathematics and English with laudable credits, while 15-year-old female student, Princess Mendee who became the salutatorian, also got a Division-two ranking in the exam.
Zuagar attributed the achievement to early preparation as well as support received from AML management and the commitment of the teaching staff. In addition to the school's remarkable performance in WASSCE, he said the third, sixth, and ninth graders from the school also performed excellently in the WAEC exam.
He also commended teachers at the school, for working tirelessly to bring pride to the school.
Presenting the students for graduation the AML High School Principal, Juwle Kumeh, praised the AML management and members of the teaching staff, for their commitment to making the school second to none in the Republic.
Nimba University President, Dr. Jesse Noah Mongrue who delivered the keynote address, lauded ArcelorMittal Liberia for the provision of quality education for workers' children, at no cost. He said Liberians should make education a major priority if the country is to develop.
"Without prioritizing education, we will have no foundation as Liberians. Emphasis should be placed on the importance of education for Liberia to have the foundation it needs," he said.
The graduation was the 14th of the ArcelorMittal Liberia High School.
ArcelorMittal Liberia operates more than three schools in Yekepa, providing quality education to up to 1,300 students.
"We Are Feeling the Impact of ArcelorMittal"
Residents of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) communities of impact are praising the decision to withhold 20% of AML's County Social Development Fund contribution to Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa counties for direct development in their local areas.
During a recent Communication tour in Bong County, community leaders said they are seeing positive results from investments targeting community residents and expressed great satisfaction over the many projects being supported by AML.
They also hailed the decision to manage the funds with direct input and acquiescence of the community people.
"Let me tell you, it is now that we in the affected communities are feeling the impact of ArcelorMittal. Without coming to the communities, no one will know that AML is doing something in this country," said Jordan Bly-bly, head of the Gboyea Mining Construction and Engineering Company and a resident of Zoweintaa.
In Zoweintaa, a US $119,000 clinic project is ongoing as part of Bong County's share of the 20% Community Development Fund allotment. Clinics and Maternal Waiting Home projects are also ongoing in Gbartaa, Bongbor, and Rock Crusher communities.
"The work you see here is done with ArcelorMittal's 20%," said Alphonso Menyon, Town Chief of Bongbor, Tugbablee District.
Albertha Dianue, AML Community Relations Liaison Officer in Bong County said the projects have been positively received and its implementation is helping to strengthen AML's relationship with its communities.
Besides the ongoing projects, there are others that AML has implemented and are currently benefiting the locals. Among them are a community town hall, Wamah Town Public School, and three hand pumps in Green Hill Quarry Km 149; two hand pumps and a market building in Zoweintaa Km145, a hand pump in Dahn Town at Km 135; one hand pump in Borbor Fire Town at Km 133; a market building and one hand pump in Gbarlor Kpala at Km 123, a hand pump, Beyou Town Km 116; a hand pump in Thomas Village at Km 115, a hand pump in Vanquen Village at Km 113; another hand pump in Fianutolee at Km 103, a hand pump in Paye Town at Km 90, and a community town hall in Rock Crusher at Km 96.
In Gbarnga, ArcelorMittal Liberia helped with the building of the Women's Center and the sports stadium. Meanwhile, Wamah Town Public School Principal, Rachel B. Kollie, acknowledged the intervention of AML in bringing the school to where it is but also asked the company to help paint the building and put a fence around the building to prevent students from running to the railroad when they hear the train passing.
