– Write daily observer newspapers
April 14, 2025
Editor-in-Chief
Daily Observer Newspaper
Liberia, Monrovia
Subject: Misleading and inaccurate reporting, edition on April 10, 2025 – “ArcelorMittal Diffies Liberian Government”
Dear Editor-in-Chief,
On behalf of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), he expressed deep concern and strong opposition to the article published on April 10, 2025, writing under a sensational headline, “ArcelorMittal ignores the Liberian government.”
This article is effectively misleading and inaccurate. The Liberian government is grossly misrepresenting AML’s actions regarding access to railway infrastructure and continued involvement by Ivanhoe Atlantic in the AML concession area.
Let us be absolutely clear: ArcelorMittal Liberia has never rebelled against the Liberian government. We are committed to honoring the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Government and to continue constructive engagement with the Ministry of Mines and related authorities, including the Ministry of Energy, Transport and the National Investment Commission. This request is inconsistent with the current MDA agreed procedures that AML has with the Liberian government. The third amendment to the MDA has provisions that allow such requests, but no amendments have been concluded.
The central claim in the article that AML has hampered the government-approved ESIA is misleading and inflammatory. The AML decision not to allow Ivanhoe to access the mining area of the Tokade was not an act of rebellion, but rather a decision based on the MDA’s legal provisions. The current provisions within the MDA did not allow unauthorized third-party access to active mining zones, and government communications did not provide legal means to override that contractual provision.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Mines letter calling for AML cooperation was received one day after the proposed launch of the ESIA (17-21 days) on March 18, 2025, effectively making timely reviews, adjustments and responses impossible. The Daily Observer article failed to present this important timeline, implying that AML instead ignored existing legally binding instructions.
The CEO of AML formally responded to the Ministry of Mines in a letter dated March 21, 2025, clearly portraying the legal concerns surrounding Ivan Ho’s ESIA demands, and reiterating AML’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and seek mutually appealing solutions. This response also reaffirmed AML support for Multiuser Rail systems. This continues to promote it through a legitimate, negotiated framework that respects both MDA rights and government policy orientations.
AML also received a letter from the National Investment Commission on March 14, 2025. This acknowledged AML concerns, confirmed our legal position under the MDA and confirmed that these issues are under review by the Inter-Administrator Concession Committee with advice from the Department of Justice.
Contrary to the claims in the article, Ivanhoe’s ESIA team was not “blocked” in arbitrarily. They conducted assessments in Buchanan along the railway corridor and near the boundary area. The only restricted zone was Tokadeh Mine, an active and dangerous workplace that requires strict legal, technical and safety adjustments.
It’s a shame that your height newspaper chose to amplify anonymous commentary and speculative claims while ignoring readily available documentary evidence from AML and the government. The work leaps heavily towards provocative language, describing AML as a “state within the nation,” undermines objective journalism and does not serve a constructive purpose in complex national dialogues about the use of shared infrastructure.
We respectfully request that the Daily Observers take steps to revise the public records by making this clarification equally available in the next edition. If we seek balance and de facto accuracy in future reports, further dialogue with our editorial team will remain open.
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AML is Liberia’s largest and long-term foreign investors, a major contributor to national income, and supports the record as the employer of thousands of Liberians. We continue to support the government’s vision for multi-user rail access, as long as it is implemented through infrastructure sharing, legal collaboration, and structured transparency, and legally sound processes.
Let the facts coordinate our national conversations, not sensationalism. Don’t decide what we do. And please respect mutual respect, not misinformation.
From the heart,
Winston Dallieu
Communication Manager
ArcelorMittal Liberia
