Botswana Mining Review Comprehensive Coverage of the Progress and Achievements in the Mining Sector
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Liberia’s iron ore production is expected to triple in 2026 as expansion projects led by ArcelorMittal gather pace, marking one of the most significant scale-ups in the country’s post-war mining history.
The Minister of Mines and Energy Matenokay Tingban revealed recently that output could reach 30 million metric tonnes this year, up from roughly 10 million tonnes in 2025. The increase is being driven primarily by ArcelorMittal Liberia’s operational ramp-up, alongside new and revived projects from other producers.
ArcelorMittal, headquartered in Luxembourg, is advancing a multi-billion-dollar expansion that includes a new concentrator plant, upgrades to rail infrastructure and enhanced port facilities. The company plans to ship 20 million tonnes of iron ore in 2026, compared with historical annual volumes of around 5 million tonnes.
The railway serving the mining corridor is being upgraded to handle up to 30 million tonnes per year under a long-term agreement that will generate approximately $200 million in fees for the Liberian government. Other operators including Cavalla Resources, Westcrest, Zodiac and Bao Chico are expected to contribute additional volumes as their projects move toward production. Gold output is also projected to rise, with Mansa Resources’ Dugbe mine increasing its contribution to the sector.
Alongside production growth, the government is pursuing reforms to strengthen state participation in mining. Authorities are reviewing the mining code to introduce a free-carried government equity stake of between 10% and 15% in new projects, with a long-term ambition of raising that to 25%. Royalty rates are set to remain unchanged at 4.5% for iron ore, 3% for gold and 8% for heavy mineral sands. The Ministry of Justice is assessing how revised equity provisions would apply to existing agreements.
Officials have stated that the objective is to move beyond a royalty-only model towards a hybrid structure combining royalties with state equity, allowing the government to capture greater long-term value, finance infrastructure and expand employment opportunities. The ministry is also cataloguing critical minerals including lithium, following Chinese-backed geochemical surveys aimed at identifying future strategic resources.
If projected output levels materialise, Liberia’s mining sector could record overall growth of 25%–30% in 2026, depending on project timelines and ramp-up performance. For a country where iron ore remains central to export earnings, the expansion signals both renewed investor confidence and a shift toward more assertive resource governance.
