After 20 Years, What’s Left? What Did We Get? Who Gained, and Who Lost?

 

For two decades, ArcelorMittal has operated in Liberia, extracting iron ore from the mineral-rich land of Nimba County. Promises of economic growth, improved infrastructure, and better living conditions were made when the steel giant first arrived. Yet, as the years have passed, these expectations have largely gone unmet. Yekepa, the epicenter of Liberia’s mining wealth, remains in a state of alarming neglect. Roads are crumbling, workers live in substandard housing, and basic services like healthcare and education remain inadequate. While the company has profited immensely generating billions in revenue yet the people closest to its operations have gained little, if anything. The stark contrast between corporate success and local hardship raises an unsettling question: who really benefits from Liberia’s mining wealth?

Liberians have endured poor wages, dangerous working conditions, and environmental degradation while the government continues to turn a blind eye. Workers report mistreatment, lack of safety measures, and subpar wages that barely support their families. Meanwhile, raw sewage contaminates wetlands, poisoning the very land that should sustain communities. Many families who once hoped for better opportunities now struggle for survival, while government officials remain silent often due to bribery and conflicts of interest that allow ArcelorMittal to operate unchecked. The steel giant’s operations have been riddled with exploitative practices, mirroring its troubling track record in other nations. The evidence is clear: while ArcelorMittal reaps immense profits, the local population bears the brunt of its actions, trapped in poverty amid Liberia’s wealth of natural resources.

As Liberia reflects on 20 years of partnership with ArcelorMittal, the need for change has never been more urgent. The government must demand accountability, enforce labor protections, and ensure that foreign investments truly benefit the people. More ethical and responsible corporations must be considered in future negotiations companies that prioritize fair wages, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure development over unchecked corporate greed. Liberia’s mineral wealth should uplift its people, not serve as a tool for exploitation. If immediate action is not taken, another 20 years may pass with the same story of lost opportunities, broken promises, and an entire generation left behind. The time for accountability and ethical investment is now.