ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has launched a large-scale renovation program to restore and modernize housing facilities in its Buchanan concession, aimed at providing decent and improved living conditions for Liberian staff and their families.
The initiative targets homes that were left in disrepair after Liberia’s civil conflict, when facilities formerly owned by the Liberian American-Swedish Mining Company (LAMCO) were looted and damaged.
According to AML’s Estates Infrastructure, Housing and Accommodation team, renovation works are ongoing across several residential units in Loops One, Two, Three, Four, and Five.
“We currently have three houses under renovation in Loop One, one house in Loop Four, while works have been completed in Loop Five, where we are now installing furniture,” the team disclosed.
“These projects involve full renovations carried out by Liberian contractors.
Already, single employees are being moved into the newly completed Bachelor Flats #2, which has made it possible to allocate four additional family homes to staff with families.”
Since 2024, AML has completed the renovation of Bachelor Flats #2, which comprises 23 one-bedroom apartments, along with 11 additional houses, excluding the six units currently under construction.
The company’s short-term plan includes completing the renovation of five houses at Loop Five, five at Loop Four, and ten at Loop One before the end of this year. At the same time, discussions are underway to renovate Bachelor Flats #3, which will provide 23 additional modern apartments for staff accommodation.
Maria A. Da Silva, Manager for Program Quality Life at AML, explained that the housing upgrades go far beyond surface improvements.
“We are conducting full renovations where only parts of the walls are kept. Everything else is replaced, including new roof and roof structure, windows, doors, ceramic tiles, sanitary fittings, cabinets, electrical rewiring, sewage and water lines, and furniture,” she said. “We are applying international standards to optimize construction details and ensure high-quality finishes.”
The current package of housing projects is scheduled for completion between the end of 2025 and January 2026. Beyond that, AML has aligned an additional 38 houses for renovation in 2026, with design and tender preparations already planned to begin in October.
The company’s long-term housing modernization program will run until the end of 2027, at which time all staff housing in Loops 1 extension, 2, 3, 4, and 5 will be fully modernized and restored to international standards.
“All of the renovated homes will be assigned to Liberian staff and their families, with some transfers arranged to make way for renovations in currently occupied units,” Da Silva added.
The staff housing renovation program forms part of AML’s broader commitment to improving the quality of life for its workforce while also revitalizing once-abandoned facilities that remain an important part of Liberia’s mining history.
