MONROVIA – The Liberian Post has gathered that several youth groups in Nimba County are planning a protest ahead of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s slated visit to ArcelorMittal’s operational sites in the county on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
According to the Executive Mansion, President Boakai’s official tour is to evaluate the company’s contribution to local development, infrastructure and workers’ welfare.
The visit will include an inspection of ArcelorMittal’s mining facilities and engagements with local stakeholders. The Executive Mansion states further that President Boakai seeks to gain firsthand insight into the company’s activities and the socio-economic impact of its operations on surrounding communities.
But ahead of President Boakai’s plan visit, there are reports that the President’s visit may be met with public unrest. It is said that youth groups in Nimba have announced plans to stage a protest during the visit, citing what they call ArcelorMittal’s “persistent failure” to fulfill its corporate social responsibility obligations.
According to sources within the Nimba Youth groups, said the protest is intended to draw President Boakai’s attention to ongoing concerns over the company’s community engagement and development efforts.
The youth groups allege that despite years of mining operations in the region, local communities have seen little tangible benefit in terms of infrastructure, education, and job opportunities.
Tensions between the local population and ArcelorMittal have flared in the past over similar issues, and Wednesday’s protest could further highlight the growing demand for accountability from concession companies operating in Liberia.
Security arrangements are expected to be heightened ahead of the visit, with both government officials and local leaders calling for a peaceful and constructive dialogue during the president’s tour.
ArcelorMittal Liberia is part of the ArcelorMittal group, the world’s leading steel and mining company and the leader in all major steel markets such as construction, domestic appliances, packaging, and automotive. The group has an industrial presence in more than 22 countries spanning four continents and covers all of the key steel markets, from emerging to mature.
ArcelorMittal has 119 million tons of annual steel production capacity and 245,000 employees across 60 countries.
ArcelorMittal Liberia Ltd. was created in 2006 when a 25-year Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) to mine iron ore was signed between the Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal.
In Liberia, the concession aims to achieve its production targets through safe mining, and hence, promote Liberia’s growth by observing ArcelorMittal Liberia’s top priorities.
