Our mining operations not only play a role in local economies, they also help build local skills and infrastructure. ArcelorMittal is committed throughout all phases of its mining projects to plan and conduct operations so that a balance is created between what is taken from the earth and what is given back to the communities where we have a presence
Developing untapped mineral resources is an economic driver, particularly in developing countries. However, we realise that mining is an activity of depletion: every mineral resource is finite. With each mining project, our aim is to extract mineral resources as well as to create opportunities for the sustainable development of communities that depend on the mine for economic activity.
A commitment to sustainable social change is central to our business philosophy. We work with communities in the regions where we operate to build local skills and infrastructure for long-term development.
Sustainability is one of ArcelorMittal’s core values, and our commitment to the world around us extends beyond the bottom line. ArcelorMittal wants to ensure that its mining operations leave a positive lasting environmental, economic and social legacy.
A global company investing into an undeveloped area provides various sources of value to the local communities, extending beyond direct employment. For example, it also provides indirect employment in related activities and services, and also contributes to education, training and skills development, and small and medium enterprise development.
“Industries such as mining, which inherently have a large social and environmental impact, have long recognised the interdependence of reputation and the success of mining endeavours. Countries and their citizens realise that the extraction of the mineral wealth needs to be balanced with the mitigation of environmental damage and the creation of new livelihoods.”
Joseph Mathews, CEO of ArcelorMittal Liberia, 2006-2010
Creating jobs
Community development is embedded in our business approach. In Canada, for example, the expansion of our iron ore production in Mont-Wright and Port-Cartier, with an investment of CAN$2.1bn, will create around 8,000 jobs during construction and 900 permanent jobs. At Port-Cartier, we have also invested CAN$100,000 in local projects, including the Reinsertion Research Group for a compost pilot project and a salmon counting project at Pentecôte River.
Rebuilding a war-torn country
Through the greenfield project for iron ore extraction in Liberia, ArcelorMittal had the opportunity to carefully construct a sustainable business, in collaboration with the Liberian government, from the outset. Fourteen years of civil war have devastated the Liberian economy, creating a stagnant state of unemployment and low income. ArcelorMittal’s Consolidated Mineral Development Agreement with Liberia includes agreements on education and training to ensure that Liberia’s development is sustainable over time.
In addition, we have carried out extensive environmental work in the wet-zone rainforests of the Nimba region, close to our mines. We are committed to preserving the natural environment around our operations by taking all possible measures to mitigate adverse effects of mining.
“Our year-long ecological study, in preparation for mining, revealed the long-standing degradation in the forests. To drive the effort for ecological conservation in the region, we helped set up a biodiversity stakeholder group, which brings together all relevant governmental and local organisations.”
John Howell, environment manager, ArcelorMittal Liberia
Improving water management
Through a 2007 environmental review of our iron ore East Pit expansion programme in the US, we identified a potential risk on an adjacent abandoned iron ore pit that holds the water supply of the city of Biwabik, Minnesota. Since then, we have worked closely with city officials to form a long-term plan to improve our water management with consistent equipment upgrades, most recently installing a pump barge to improve water supply.