Ominous article about ArcelorMittal’s future in Liberia

A magazine called Ethical Corporation has a good, comprehensive article about ArcelorMittal in Liberia, focusing on the challenge for the company of meeting the expectations of Liberians. The article notes that the dropping market price for iron ore will contribute to this challenge. The article is critical of a proposed collaborative effort between the World Bank and ArcelorMittal on building electrcitiy infrastructure, saying this should have been an integral part of the company’s strategy from the beginning. It also criticizes ArcelorMittal for not adequately explaining the intent of its gift of 100 trucks to legislators, saying “ArcelorMittal’s approach to stakeholder relations lack sophistication.” The article is pessimistic about ArcelorMittal’s presence in the country, citing a survey that concludes that the, “long-term health of the ’socio-political license’ of ArcelorMittal’s project in Liberia is downbeat. “