By Socrates Smythe Saywon, G. Watson Richards, and Zac Sherman
A recent investigation by Verity News has exposed the devastating living conditions endured by workers, including trainees, at ArcelorMittal Liberia, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse, noncompliance, and severe neglect. After a three-month intensive probe into the company’s operations, this paper has gathered a dossier of evidence including photos, videos, and documents of what is not usually shown to the public but exists inside ArcelorMittal. In this first investigative report, we shed light on the dire circumstances that workers and communities face.
Makeshift Houses, Leaked Photos and Videos
Trainees, many of whom are just beginning their careers in the mining sector, are housed in makeshift accommodations made from sticks and mud, structures that are in a state of extreme disrepair. The buildings are so poorly constructed that during the rainy season, water seeps through the walls, flooding the floors. Some rooms are even overrun by trees growing inside them, while dust and dirt completely overwhelm the living spaces. Worse still, trainees are forced to live without basic necessities such as consistent access to clean water, electricity, and proper sanitation.
Water, when it is available, is sourced from a nearby creek and is left untreated, leading to frequent skin rashes and other health issues among the trainees. The absence of electricity leaves the trainees in darkness, exacerbating their already difficult living conditions. Many of the young workers suffer from chronic colds, fevers, malaria, uncontrollable coughing, persistent skin rashes, and general ill health, all of which are further compounded by the lack of proper hygiene and sanitation.
Despite these horrific conditions, the company continues to deduct $100 USD monthly from each trainee’s meager stipend for what is described as a “one-bedroom apartment.” However, the reality is far from what was promised. The rooms are cramped, with only one bed and a single bathroom. There is no sitting area, no water, and no electricity, leaving the trainees to pay $15,000 monthly as a group for accommodations that are entirely unsuitable for human habitation.
One trainee, who spoke to Verity News on the condition of anonymity, described the unbearable conditions. “Even the bus that can carry us to class is not air-conditioned, so we suffer from heavy dust. When we request a noise mask, it can be available. This is the accommodation area we are paying 100 USD monthly each. 100×150 persons monthly,” the trainee said.
Another trainee shared their frustration, “This place was built with sticks and mud (dopping) an ancient method. The place is very close to the main road, so we suffer from heavy dust every day. This place is constructed on Yekepa highway (Laigbala Town), surrounded by forest. We come down with serious colds, fever, and depression because of the deplorable condition of the place. We have asked them so many times to relocate or give us our rent money so we can find our own place, or to recondition the place, but all to no avail.”
The trainees also spoke about the promises made during the recruitment process. They were told they would receive a $500 USD monthly stipend throughout their training, but since starting, they have only been given $200 USD each month, without any formal documentation to explain the discrepancy. They also revealed that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) they signed made no mention of any stipend, further complicating their situation.
ArcelorMittal, a global mining giant with a 25-year concession agreement for Mineral Development in Liberia, has faced criticism for its treatment of local workers and the conditions under which they live. The company’s concession agreement, valued at $1.6 billion, covers extensive areas in Nimba County and includes transportation routes through Bong to the port of Bassa. Despite its significant investment in Liberia, the reported conditions of the trainees suggest a stark disconnect between the company’s global standards and the reality on the ground. Our report also revealed that workers are sleeping in tents based on photos and videos in our possessions, something which is contrary to the MDA of ArcelorMittal.
Why Renewal of MDA?
ArcelorMittal (AM/NS India) acquires land for an integrated steel mill in Andhra Pradesh, southern India. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Private Limited (AM/NS India), an essential base of Nippon Steel Corporation (Nippon Steel), has decided to acquire the following land for an integrated steel mill in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The steel market in India is expected to grow steadily due to economic and population growth, and the government has firmly maintained its support policy for demand generation, including policies for infrastructure.
As ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India prepares to commission a 2-million-tonne capacity for advanced automotive steel at its Hazira plant, the focus is now shifted to Liberia, where ArcelorMittal expected to largely expand its operations, including production and export of iron ore, amid a new Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).
Amid a potential renewal of the Mineral Development Agreement between the Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal Liberia, the company has increased production and shipment of iron ore from Nimba through Bong to Bassa for possible exportation.
Noncompliance of MDA:
There are pieces of evidence, including a review of the MDA, interviews with authorities, and other documents, to show that the company has either not met these agreed-upon corporate commitments or to a larger extent reneged on them, including job creation, as clearly stated in the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).
After 5 years, the company should have at least 25% Liberians in top management positions, and 50% after 10 years. 365 days after signing this agreement, the company is supposed to appoint 3 Liberian managers (Article 12).
US $100,000 to the Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy for Scientific Research Fund (Article 25).
The company will take over all of the houses that the former LAMCO built and renovate them to be used for employees. It will also build new houses if it needs more units (Article 9, Section 3a 2, 3 & b).
The company must build hospitals and clinics for every 1000 person it employs. All workers and government officials working in connection with the company and their dependents are entitled to free health care at the best medical standards in a sanitary environment (Article 10, Section 1&2).
The company will work with the Ministry of Education and build schools for the children to attend for free. Those to benefit are children of all employees, government employees assigned in the area, and children of all those working there. The company will also pay the school fees for children in the areas where the company does not have schools (Article 11, Section 1a & b).
The company will train Liberians to be qualified in the company’s technical, managerial, and administrative operations. It will build vocational schools and provide scholarships (Article 10, Section 2a & b).
The company will give US $50,000 to help with scholarships for advanced studies (Article 10).
The company will also give US $50,000 per year to the Department of Mining & Geology at the University of Liberia and promote advanced studies in mining and geology both here and in other parts of the world (Article 10).
To help the community, the company will give US $3 (Article 14).
US $ 300,000,00 for all land in the concession area (Article 7).
Communities and Advocates Decry Pollution and Neglect
It can be recalled, civil society activist Emmanuel Saye Bellehbokpolah Nenwon, in a statement on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, strongly opposed the renewal of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) Mineral Development Agreement, citing the company’s failure to fulfill its obligations to affected communities.
Nenwon, after reviewing the 2007 amended agreement for nearly six hours, concluded that AML has neglected its commitments to job creation, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and fair economic contributions. He accused the company of exploiting Liberia’s resources while leaving communities in poverty, displacement, and environmental devastation.
According to Nenwon, AML has failed to prioritize Liberian employment, with expatriates dominating top managerial positions while locals remain in low-paying jobs. He referenced the agreement’s employment provisions, which he claims AML has disregarded by not providing adequate training or opportunities for affected communities.
He further criticized AML for failing to develop schools, healthcare facilities, and basic community services. He argued that promised improvements remain unfulfilled, leaving children in poorly built schools, residents without healthcare, and communities struggling with limited access to clean water.
Nenwon also highlighted severe environmental damages, alleging that AML has polluted streams, rivers, and farmlands with toxic waste while making no meaningful effort to rehabilitate the land. He accused the company of disregarding the agreement’s environmental protection clauses, leaving affected communities in hazardous living conditions.
