A young activist, Printiss Domah, has launched a campaign against Liberia’s largest iron ore company, ArcelorMittal, dubbed “AML Must Go.” Domah expressed deep frustration, stating, “We’re tired.”
“We officially launched the AMLmustGo campaign on the same day the President will visit Yekepa, and it has been met with optimism, especially among youths and students. We’re exhausted with AML’s neglect of corporate social responsibility, and their labor and human rights abuses,” Domah declared.
President Joseph Boakai is expected to visit Yekepa, Nimba County, on Monday, June 2, 2025.
In anticipation of the President’s visit, ArcelorMittal Liberia has hurried to repair a road in the area; a road, according to citizens that has remained neglected for nearly two decades.
ArcelorMittal began operations in Liberia under a Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) in 2007, which is set to expire in 2032.
Yet, despite 18 years of operations, citizens of Nimba claimed that the company has not paved this crucial road, opting instead for temporary dirt (laterite) resurfacing-even during the rainy season.
According to the 15th EITI Report (2024) by the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI), ArcelorMittal exported 6.42 million metric tonnes of iron ore, generating approximately US$477.2 million.
This figure suggests the company has earned billions from Liberia’s natural resources since 2007.
Despite this, citizens said ArcelorMittal has allegedly failed to maintain basic infrastructure in its concession area.
AML is not the only foreign company accused of exploiting Liberia’s resources and abusing workers, but activists like Domah are calling on President Boakai to urgently end this entrenched exploitation.
The country deserves a break from the cycle of resource extraction and abuse.
Recently, Domah, a native son of Nimba, publicly criticized ArcelorMittal for what he called superficial road repairs in Yekepa, undertaken just before the President’s visit.
In a statement shared on social media, Domah alleged that AML was merely “patching potholes” to improve appearances, rather than making meaningful improvements.
He also claimed the company requested the President’s visit be postponed from May 27 to June 16, 2025, to allow more time for these superficial repairs.
“Yekepa is the host area of AML’s iron ore concession, generating billions annually,” Domah said, questioning why basic infrastructure remains in such poor condition despite these massive earnings.
These criticisms come as ArcelorMittal seeks to extend and expand its Mineral Development Agreement with the Liberian government, aiming to increase iron ore production from 5 million to 15 million metric tons annually.
As ArcelorMittal approaches its 20th year of operations in Liberia, Domah suggests the anniversary is accompanied by an intensified public relations campaign.
He accuses the company of using influential media figures to spread misleading narratives about its contributions to Nimba County and beyond.
With the President’s rescheduled visit looming, local sentiment is growing increasingly critical of what many see as performative gestures, rather than genuine, long-term development.
So far, ArcelorMittal has not publicly responded to Domah’s accusations.
