ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), a leading mining company operating in the West African nation, has reaffirmed its commitment to community development by launching the 2025 cycle of its Community Development Fund (CDF). This initiative, established in 2020 as part of AML’s Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Liberian government, aims to empower communities and foster sustainable development in the counties where AML operates: Nimba, Grand Bassa, and Bong. The CDF is a targeted approach to community investment, utilizing 20% of AML’s annual contribution to the broader County Social Development Fund (CSDF). This focused allocation allows AML to directly address the needs of communities most impacted by its operations, particularly those situated along the railway corridor and within the mining areas.
The official launch of the 2025 CDF cycle took place in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, bringing together over fifty stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and civil society representatives. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of partnership and shared responsibility in driving impactful community development. The event served as a platform to review the achievements of the 2024 cycle, discuss ongoing projects, and endorse key amendments to the CDF Management Guidelines, further enhancing transparency and accountability in the fund’s administration. This iterative process allows for continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving community needs.
A key element of the launch event was the assessment of past CDF-funded projects, which have yielded tangible improvements in community infrastructure. Over thirty projects have been completed since the fund’s inception, encompassing crucial areas such as road construction, educational facilities, healthcare infrastructure, and community centers. These projects demonstrate the CDF’s tangible contribution to improving the quality of life for residents in the beneficiary counties. The focus on infrastructure development not only addresses immediate community needs but also lays the groundwork for sustained economic and social progress.
The CDF’s allocation mechanism ensures a proportional distribution of resources based on AML’s operational footprint: Nimba County receives 50%, Grand Bassa 33.3%, and Bong County 16.7%. This structured approach ensures that communities most directly affected by mining activities receive a proportionate share of the development funds. The collaborative governance structure, involving both AML and the Liberian government, further strengthens the fund’s accountability and transparency.
AML’s commitment to community development extends beyond the CDF. The company annually contributes a substantial amount to the CSDF, amounting to $1.5 million for Nimba, $1 million for Grand Bassa, and $500,000 for Bong County. However, the establishment of the CDF was a strategic response to the realization that these broader CSDF funds were not always effectively reaching the communities most proximate to AML’s operations. The CDF therefore serves as a targeted mechanism to address this gap and ensure that development resources reach those communities most directly impacted by mining activities.
The launch of the 2025 CDF cycle marks a significant step forward in AML’s ongoing commitment to sustainable community development. The collaborative approach, coupled with a focus on transparency and accountability, ensures that the fund continues to deliver tangible benefits to communities in Nimba, Grand Bassa, and Bong counties. By prioritizing local needs and fostering community ownership of development projects, AML reinforces its role as a responsible corporate citizen and a catalyst for sustainable growth in Liberia. The CDF serves as a model for responsible resource extraction, demonstrating how companies can actively contribute to the well-being of the communities in which they operate.
