IPNEWS: In its ongoing efforts to foster employee development and maintain positive workplace relations, ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has been demonstrating that its workforce is a key pillar of the company’s success.
Employee across the company seem focused to come along with capacity building and employee advancement designed to nurture talent, promote growth, and ensure long-term success.
ArcelorMittal Liberia has long recognized that its employees are its greatest asset. Browsing through the company’s robust employee relations policy shows an important tool that fosters a productive, respectful, and trust-based working environment.
Today, Jallah Selmah, the principal deputy to the Mine Manager at ArcelorMittal Liberia plays a key role in supporting the operational and administrative management of mining sites at Mounts Gangra and Yuelliton in Nimba County.
His daily responsibilities involve maintaining the mine’s smooth and efficient functioning. As the most senior mines engineer at ArcelorMittal Selmah ensures compliance with safety, regulatory, environmental, and production standards.
His journey with ArcelorMittal Liberia began in the company’s early days, during the rehabilitation of the Yekepa-Buchanan railway by contractor Odebrecht Construction International, where he served as Superintendent for Road Bridges and Culverts.
The role people like Selmah played was pivotal in the successful completion of the railway project, after which he and several others were recruited by ArcelorMittal Liberia.
With background in construction engineering and an impressive track record, Selmah transitioned into the mining sector—though, as he admits, the learning curve was challenging.
His determination paid off in 2011 when he was named ‘Employee of the Year’ and promoted to Mine Infrastructure Superintendent, tasked with overseeing the development of new mines.
In 2014, Selmah advanced to Assistant Mine Manager and even stepped in as Acting Mine Manager, successfully leading his team to meet the annual production target.
Across AML he is recognized as a ‘High Potential’ employee, for which he was awarded a fully funded international scholarship by ArcelorMittal Liberia in 2021 to pursue mining engineering studies at the University of Mines and Technology in Ghana.
“Maintaining good relationships with employees is an important part of ensuring our company’s continued success,” notes the company on its website.
This philosophy, people in AML believe is not just a corporate statement but a guiding principle embedded across all operations, emphasizing that positive employee relations are vital to the overall business success.
ArcelorMittal Liberia approaches staff development from both a comprehensive and forward-looking focus on preparing its workforce for higher roles and responsibilities.
Through its succession planning initiatives, the company aims to build employee capabilities and create more opportunities for career advancement. “Given the rapid growth of ArcelorMittal Liberia, it is essential to make sure our employees are given appropriate educational opportunities to meet their responsibilities and advance their careers,” the company asserts.
Each year, the training team in Liberia engages workers through various workshops, ensuring that learning and development are ongoing. New hires and contractors participate in a two-day general site induction training program, where they receive education on safety standards, company policies, and human rights practices. This training is designed to align the workforce with ArcelorMittal Liberia’s values and ethical standards, fostering a culture of integrity and best practices.
For example, Edwin Tokpa’s another key employee has been able to journey from nowhere to Rail Operations Manager at ArcelorMittal Liberia and a testament to professional growth and dedication.
A civil engineering graduate, Tokpa began his career with Odebrecht Construction International, where he contributed to the rehabilitation of the vital Yekepa-Buchanan Railway, one of Liberia’s key infrastructure projects.
His passion for engineering and his commitment to excellence did not go unnoticed.
Following the successful completion of the railway project, Tokpa was offered a full-time position at ArcelorMittal Liberia.
He started as a Dispatch Superintendent and, through hard work and the company’s commitment to developing local talent, quickly rose through the ranks. Tokpa later served as Training Operations Manager before advancing to his current role as Rail Operations Manager.
Tokpa’s career trajectory showcases ArcelorMittal Liberia’s investment in empowering Liberian professionals.
The company has provided him with the necessary training and resources to excel in the specialized field of rail operations.
His story reflects ArcelorMittal’s broader focus on fostering long-term career growth for Liberians, positioning them to lead the company’s operations in the mining industry.
