Liberia's Iron Ore Output Set to Triple with ArcelorMittal Expansion
ArcelorMittal and the Government of Liberia have signed an amended Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) extending the mining concession to 2050, alongside the inauguration of a state-of-the-art 20 Mt/y iron ore concentrator at Tokadeh in Nimba County. The $1.8 billion Phase 2 expansion represents the largest foreign direct investment in Liberia's post-war economy.
Expansion Details
- Total investment: US$3.5 billion cumulative in Liberia, with $1.8 billion for the Phase 2 expansion
- Production increase: From historical levels of approximately 5 Mtpa to 20 Mtpa in 2026, with feasibility studies underway for expansion beyond 20 Mtpa
- Concentrator capacity: 20 Mt/y, one of Africa's largest and most technologically advanced iron ore beneficiation plants
- Rail expansion: Tokadeh-to-Buchanan corridor being upgraded to support up to 30 Mtpa capacity
- Port upgrades: New berth constructed at Buchanan port with modern material handling systems
Product Strategy
The expansion enables a multiple product approach combining sinter feed and concentrate. Of the targeted 20 Mt, approximately 75% (15 Mt) will be sinter feed produced by blending concentrate with crushed ore (>62% Fe), with the remaining 25% (5 Mt) being high-grade concentrate. The company is also studying options to produce DRI-quality concentrate for the growing green steelmaking market.
Economic Impact
Liberia expects iron ore output to triple to approximately 30 million metric tons in 2026, driven by ArcelorMittal's ramp-up and fresh volumes from new and revived projects. The mine currently employs 2,000 Liberians permanently, with an additional 5,000 contractors engaged during the expansion phase. President Boakai described the project as a testament to Liberia's investor-friendly climate and the government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for business growth.
