ArcelorMittal Liberia Appoints New CEO, Prepares for Leadership Transition

By Michlyne N. Williams

MONROVIA, June 25 (LINA) – ArcelorMittal Liberia has announced the appointment of Michiel Van Der Merwe as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 1, 2024, marking a significant leadership change at the mining giant operations in Liberia.

According to an official statement from the company, Michiel Van Der Merwe will report to Kleber Silva, the Executive Vice President of ArcelorMittal and Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Mining, as the outgoing CEO Jozephus (Joep) Coenen announces his retirement.

According to the statement, Michiel Van Der Merwe brings over 25 years of extensive experience in mining operations, processing, mine planning, and project management to his new role.

He is a graduate of Extractive Metallurgy from the University of Pretoria, and his career began in 1996 at Anglogold Ashanti, where he rapidly progressed through various key positions, including senior plant metallurgist and metallurgical engineer.

His career journey led him to pivotal roles in Mali, overseeing the commissioning of the Morila gold mine, and later managing multiple plants in South Africa.

In 2010, Michiel joined Sylvania Resources as Chief Operations Manager before moving to Gold Fields Ghana Ltd., where he served as General Manager and then Vice President of Operations, responsible for the Tarkwa and Damang operations starting January 2023.

He expressed enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing the project’s significance to Liberia and his commitment to collaborative efforts with stakeholders for mutual success.

Welcoming the appointment, Kleber Silva highlighted Michael’s deep expertise in project management and operations, as well as his extensive knowledge of African markets.

Silva underscored Michiel’s crucial role in advancing ArcelorMittal Liberia’s growth agenda, particularly through the Phase II Expansion project.

As ArcelorMittal Liberia navigates this leadership transition, the company remains steadfast in pursuing its strategic objectives and fostering continued development across its operations in Liberia.

ArcelorMittal Liberia Ltd. was created in 2006 when a 25-year Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) to mine iron ore was signed between the Government of Liberia and the company.

The mining company is one of the largest foreign direct investments in Liberia and the highest contributor to the Government of Liberia revenue in the extractive industry and serves as the largest employer in Liberia with more than 3000 employees.