—— ArcelorMittal was Inducted into the Chamber of Mines
IPNEWS: ArcelorMittal Liberia Phase II resource exploration drilling exercise on Mount Yuelliton is reporting well on course and above target with an excellent safety record so far.
Aimed at converting ‘potentially available indicated materials’ to reserves for the Phase II mine development studies, the exploration drilling will improve the accuracy and confidence of the geological models which will directly improve the accuracy of the mine plan.
The team comprises a Senior Exploration Geologist, Desmond Edifor; Senior Geologist, Richard W. Tuopay, and II young geologists, Edith M. Wamah, and Trokon T. Zahn, who joined AML in 2019 as geologist assistants, immediately after graduating from the University of Liberia. Wamah and Zahn were first promoted to the positions of Junior Geologists after a period of mentorship and then to full geologists.
With an average target of 252.00m of drill core per week, the team over the past weeks has reported achieving above its target, with a variance of over 60.00m, weekly.
Edifor, who heads the team of geologists working on the Phase II exploration described the achievement as a motivation for the team, noting that all its efforts are being translated into good production figures. Edifor said the achievement will also, in a positive impact on AML’s drilling project milestones.
He said achieving such huge success with an excellent safety record is entrenched in the company’s mantra of “Safety First, Always”, adding that ensuring a safe working environment coupled with the team’s dedication to working, was the main factor.
“The key is everyone in the team is valued for the work they do. Safety is seen in the team as a culture, and it is practiced always,” he added.
Edifor also credited the achievements to several actions prioritized by his team, including taking daily Toolbox Talks seriously, having well-trained and competent staff, communication, unity, and commitment in the team, while providing performance feedback to team members.
He praised AML for the support of his team, adding that they are proud to be working with AML, one of the leading mining companies in the world.
“ArcelorMittal provides the environment for learning and growth,” he emphasized.
The ongoing exploration drilling and sampling project takes care of the exploration activities on the main deposits within the AML concession, with the team being required to ensure that all exploration activities are carried out in a very safe, efficient, and cost-saving manner.
Some of the successful exploration drilling programs previously executed by the team include the Tokadeh Stage 2 drilling in 2019, Yuelliton Stage 1 drilling in 2021, and the Tokadeh Stage 3 drilling in 2021/ 22.
Meanwhile, ArcelorMittal Liberia along with other mining companies and businesses has been inducted into the Liberia Chamber of Mines.
The Liberia Chamber of Mines is a consortium of mining companies and businesses established to help strengthen the role actors in advancing the mining industry of Liberia and complementing the government’s efforts in achieving its development goals.
Speaking at the membership induction ceremonies, the President of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, Amara Kamara said the business group is tasked with the responsibility of creating a platform where sector actors’ voices and grievances could also be channeled through dialoguing with the rightful authority.
Kamara reminded guests at the event that there are lots of challenges ahead of the Chamber and Liberia, regarding the mining sector and its related activities.
The certificate of membership on behalf of AML’s CEO Jozephus Coenen was received by Marcus Wleh, the Head of External Affairs and Sustainability.
In a formal presentation that followed, Wleh recalled that it is nearly 17 years since ArcelorMittal made a bold entry and a major investment into Liberia, thus resuscitating its mining industry destroyed because of civil war.
ArcelorMittal was the first large business to show such belief in the country when in 2005, it signed a Mineral Development Agreement with the Liberian government to initiate an iron ore mining project in the country.
In 2006, ArcelorMittal was the first and single largest private investor in the country since the civil wars, and its commitment to Liberia led the way in demonstrating the viability of a prosperous business in Liberia.
Wleh noted that since then, other companies, large and small, have followed AML’s lead, providing more job opportunities and economic stability throughout the country.
He also shared the vision of ArcelorMittal Liberia and the huge prospects for a better and brighter future for the company and Liberia, with the ongoing massive expansion of operations, following the signing of a landmark third amended Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Government in September 2021.
The ArcelorMittal Liberia Phase II expansion project is one of the largest mining projects in West Africa and encompasses processing, rail, and port facilities, including the construction of a new concentration plant and the substantial expansion of mining operations ramping up from 5mpta to 15 million tonnes per annum (‘mtpa’).
The Head of External Affairs and Sustainability at ArcelorMittal Liberia disclosed that Phase II will see a significant increase in jobs, with 2000 additional jobs during the construction phase and about 1000 additional permanent operation jobs.
He emphasized that AML’s journey into the future is guided by a commitment to health and safety that ensures and upholds the highest possible safety standards in the project execution as fundamental to its success.
The inductees received certificates confirming their status as recognized members of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, with all rights, privileges, and opportunities appertaining to members.
The first-anniversary celebration of the Chamber of Mines was attended by officials of the Ministry of Mines of Liberia, members of the diplomatic corps, including the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia.
