A high-power delegation of the Group Management Board (GMB) has been visiting Liberia to acquaint itself with the status of the Liberia Iron Ore Project and to also review steps taken to restart the project. The board members were led by the Chief Financial Officer Mr. Aditya Mittal.The GMB is the highest decision making body in ArcelorMittal.Prior to the Liberian visit, the Mittal delegation made a stop over in the Republic of Guinea, to visit the BHP Billiton Iron Ore assets so as to gain a better impression of the potential that could arise from a Joint Venture with that company. It may be recalled that the two companies recently announced they were holding talks which could lead to a possible joint venture.

Following the one-day working visit to Guinea, the Board members arrived in Liberia, on Monday, March 1 where they were feted to a sumptuous dinner at the JLJ Kendeja Hotel Resort later that evening by AML CEO Joseph Mathews and other senior staffers.On the following day, Tuesday, March 3, 2010, the GMB members, accompanied by CEO Joseph Mathews, flew by helicopter to Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County , where they met and held discussions with the Liberian Chief executive, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who was in that part of the country on a cabinet retreat. GMB members & AML officials having dinner in Buchanan Director Lockerbie stressing a point at the Buchanan Port.During the meeting, the head of delegation, Aditya Mittal thanked President Sirleaf for her understanding during the global economic crisis which necessitated the slow down in the operations of ArcelorMittal Liberia.

Now that ArcelorMittal has survived the crisis, Mr. Mittal noted, his company remains committed to the Liberian Mining project. He briefed the Liberian leader on the current status of the company and reiterated the commitment of ArcelorMittal to export Iron Ore by 2011.  Later the same day, Mr. Mittal and delegation flew to Yekepa, Nimba County, where they were warmly received by Project Director Mark Wynn. They visited areas of interest including the Hospital, and discussed issues surrounding Geology and Mining.
At the capital stores yard (L-R) Cllr. Clark, Mr. Mittal, HR Mensah, Sudir Maheshwari & Carole. The last and final stop prior to the departure of the Mittal delegation was in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, where they visited the Iron Ore Port, Capital Stores yard, Warehouse and viewed the railway line. In the end, the GMB members visited the Hospital offices, where an enthusiastic crowd of workers greeted them and took photographs.

Aditya & Amresh at the Capital stores yard Director Lockerbie introduces Buchanan staff to Mittal. The GMB, in appreciation of the visit wrote, “The trip to Liberia yesterday was particularly satisfying. The AM delegation was particularly pleased to see the progress we have made and the personal efforts and commitments that you all have shown in keeping the project alive through the Global Economic Crisis. Although the crisis is not completely over, ArcelorMittal has now made a decision to fast track the Liberian project so that we can deliver the first tons necessary under the DSO project by mid 2011.” The GMB note of appreciation from Sudhir Maheshwari, on behalf of the group continued, “The concentrate phase is currently slated for delivery late 2013. As you know, the Liberia mining project is one of our top priority mining projects and any efforts made to deliver same on an accelerated time table will go a long way in making it more economically viable and sustainable over a long term.”