ArcelorMittal Liberia marked a significant community milestone on Friday, August 22, with the dedication of two fully functional water kiosks in Yekepa Township’s Area Q and Area S. The modern water supply systems, funded entirely by AML, are part of the company’s broader effort to extend safe drinking water access to fence-line communities that do not work directly for the concession but reside within its vicinity.
Each kiosk is fed by a 75-meter dirt borehole and a five-meter water tank capable of delivering up to 500 gallons of water. A two-horsepower submersible pump, powered by an inverter and a solar panel, lifts water from the borehole to the tank and then to the kiosks. The facilities feature six faucets per kiosk and operate during daylight hours, supplemented by the solar system to serve hundreds of residents daily.
AML’s environmental team will oversee ongoing maintenance, including chlorination and regular water testing and purification, to ensure sustained water quality for the communities.
Kicking off the dedication, Kleber Silva, Executive Vice President and CEO for ArcelorMittal Mining Global, expressed pride in the company’s community-centered approach. “It is a real pleasure for us to dedicate these water kiosks. I always believe firmly that we have to be together—the mine, the company, and the community. We are part of the community, and the community is part of us,” Silva said.
He also highlighted AML’s ongoing phase two initiatives, noting that the company is creating jobs and new projects for the area.
ArcelorMittal Liberia CEO Michiel Vander Merwe echoed the commitment to long-term community development. “A couple of months from now you can just drive through and see some real increase in activities around here,” he stated, adding that AML remains dedicated to improving conditions in Yekepa Township and ensuring residents feel valued as part of the company’s community.
Local leadership also welcomed the project. Yekepa Town Council Chairman Moses Gounue expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that water scarcity had previously posed challenges in the township. “We are grateful for this development today and thank ArcelorMittal for continuing this initiative not just in Area Q but in other areas as well,” Gounue said, acknowledging the scale of the community.
Representatives from local government attended the ceremony, including Thomas Suah, Ministry of Internal Affairs Liaison; Paye Misohn Gbozuah, Statutory Superintendent of Sanniquellie Mah; and a representative from the Office of the Nimba County Superintendent.
AML plans to replicate the water kiosks in nearby Zolowee, Gbarpa, and other areas where construction is nearing completion, signaling a broader push to improve water access for residents across the region.
