At the fulcrum of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s success is a powerful national commitment: placing Liberians at the center of its operations and leadership. With more than 3,000 direct Liberian employees, AML has emerged as a model of homegrown empowerment in the private sector.
Across every department, from mine operations to corporate leadership, Liberians are not just filling seats; they are actively shaping the future of the country’s largest foreign investment. In Grand Bassa County, local engineer Augustine Quaye leads advanced operations at the company’s state-of-the-art concentrator plant. In the finance department, Elizabeth Kollie ensures oversight and integrity in AML’s financial systems.
This deliberate approach reflects a long-term vision of shared prosperity: when Liberians grow, Liberia grows. While many companies lean heavily on expatriate expertise, AML is cultivating a workforce that draws strength from within, building the skills, leadership, and confidence the country needs to compete globally.
“The company has shown me that hard work and learning can take me anywhere. I never thought I’d be leading a team of 40 people”, said Emmanuel Nyan, a shift supervisor, who started as a machine helper 10 years ago
As Liberia celebrates 178 years of independence, the workforce at AML reflects something even more profound, a transformative shift where Liberians are no longer just participants in the economy but drivers of its progress. By operating one of the most complex iron ore concentrators in West Africa, these professionals are helping Liberia make its mark on the world stage. The refined ore they produce powers global steelmaking, a testament to the role Liberians now play in shaping global excellence.
As of May 31, 2025, AML’s employment data indicate 2,848 full-time staff members, of whom 2,555 (90%) are Liberians, while 293 (10%) are expatriates.
The expatriate professionals fill highly specialized technical roles currently scarce in Liberia’s labor market. Their presence is essential to AML’s Phase Two expansion, which includes a sophisticated ore concentrator, new power plant, major upgrades to Buchanan Port, expansion of the Yekepa–Buchanan railway, and development of a Tailing Management Facility.
These infrastructure projects demand expertise in large-scale construction, mineral processing, and infrastructure deployment, skills that require years of global experience to master.
However, AML has ensured these experts work closely with Liberian colleagues, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and skills across technical and managerial disciplines. This collaborative model is laying the foundation for a future generation of competent Liberian professionals.
This inclusive approach enables Liberian engineers, electricians, welders, and plant operators to gain hands-on experience with modern technologies and systems that are rarely accessible elsewhere in the country. This model ensures that Liberians will one day take full ownership of complex mining operations, anchoring the nation’s long-term industrial self-sufficiency.
In addition to full-time staff, AML also engages a significant number of contractors and fixed-term workers, particularly during the expansion phase.
As of April 30, 2025, 6,147 people were employed in these categories, including
4,705 Liberians (77%), and 1,442 expatriates (23%). This brings AML’s total workforce to 8,995, of which, 7,260 (81%) are Liberians while 1,735 (19%) are expatriates.
This employment structure underscores AML’s deep investment in local capacity and its vital role in supporting thousands of Liberian families through stable jobs and sustained economic opportunity.
AML’s workforce model is not only meeting but, in many respects, exceeding its commitments under the Mineral Development Agreement, particularly in prioritizing Liberian hiring and development. The company has publicly stated that its employment records are open to any form of labor-related audit, and it welcomes independent verification.
ArcelorMittal Liberia’s approach, grounded in trust, investment, and opportunity, is becoming a beacon of what’s possible when local talent is empowered. In the global supply chain of refined iron ore, the fingerprints of Liberian professionals —ranging from engineers and operators to technicians and administrators —are now boldly visible.
This isn’t just about employment, it’s about ownership, pride, and potential. As Liberia builds its future, ArcelorMittal Liberia is demonstrating that with the proper support, Liberians can lead not only at home but also on the world stage.
