Monrovia-Chief Financial Officer Cornor O’Brien and Training Academy Manager Dawie Loots were honoured on October 31, 2026, during a programme organised by the company’s Human Resources and Organisational Development Department.
As part of the traditional Liberian ceremony, both executives were presented in handwoven traditional attire in recognition of their service and contributions to the company and Liberia’s workforce development.
Chief Executive Officer Michiel van der Merwe described the two executives as distinguished professionals whose leadership had helped strengthen important areas of the company’s operations.
He credited O’Brien with reinforcing financial controls over the past two years, promoting greater discipline and accountability in corporate expenditure. He also praised Loots for his 13 years of leadership at the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy (AMLTA), where he helped expand technical education and employment opportunities for young Liberians.
“Their contributions deserve to be celebrated. Dawie’s 13 years of service transformed local skills development, while Cornor brought greater clarity, rigor, and discipline to our financial management,” van der Merwe said.
He described their departures as an emotional moment for the organisation, noting the lasting contributions both executives had made during their respective tenures.
Human Resource Business Partner Patience Jordan Kargbah also highlighted their individual legacies, saying O’Brien had strengthened financial accountability systems while Loots had developed the training academy into one of the company’s most visible social investments.
“The Training Academy stands as a powerful demonstration of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s commitment to developing local skills, local talent, and sustainable opportunities,” Kargbah said.
In his farewell remarks, O’Brien described his time in Yekepa as a memorable professional experience, particularly given the unique working environment and the responsibilities associated with managing the company’s finances.
“Working in the mountainous environment of Yekepa has been a truly unique experience. While a strict approach to financial controls can sometimes present challenges for colleagues, it was essential for maintaining long-term stability and accountability,” he said.
His remarks reflected the importance of financial discipline, transparency and responsible expenditure in maintaining the company’s operational stability.
While O’Brien’s contribution centred on financial governance, Loots leaves behind a record of leadership in technical and vocational education.
On October 30, academy staff, apprentices, alumni and senior management held a separate farewell programme to recognise his 13 years at the helm of AMLTA.
Since assuming leadership in 2013, Loots has overseen the certification of 204 graduates, all of whom have secured direct employment with ArcelorMittal Liberia.
Representing General Manager Jallah Selmah, Deputy General Manager for Mining Momo B. Moore emphasised the importance of vocational training to national development and economic independence.
“Few investments are more important than equipping people with the knowledge and skills needed to become self-reliant,” Moore said.
He commended Loots for modernising the academy’s practical training equipment and expanding opportunities for women in technical occupations. One notable initiative involved training female technicians to operate heavy articulated dump trucks, creating opportunities for greater female participation in traditionally male-dominated mining roles.
Former apprentices and trainers also paid tribute to Loots, highlighting the academy’s contribution to developing skilled Liberian workers and improving their economic prospects.
Jacob Devine Favor Tiah, an AMLTA apprentice, said Loots’ leadership had helped many Liberians acquire competitive technical skills and build sustainable livelihoods.
“Dawie Loots’ contribution helped many Liberians acquire competitive technical skills and improve their economic prospects, positioning graduates to earn sustainable livelihoods,” Tiah said.
In his response, an emotional Loots expressed gratitude to the company, his colleagues and the apprentices whose dedication had contributed to the academy’s achievements.
“I never initially imagined that my career would bring me to Liberia and provide an opportunity to make such a lasting impact. I will deeply miss Liberia, ArcelorMittal Liberia, and particularly the dedicated staff and apprentices whose performance built this academy,” he said.
He also recognised team member Darlington Siaway for his determination and commitment to the development of the academy and ArcelorMittal Liberia.
Beyond leadership recognition and workforce development, the company continues to emphasise the importance of safety compliance across its mining operations.
One of its Life-Saving Golden Rules, Rule No. 8, requires employees to respect safety procedures when entering and working in hazardous gas areas. The rule has been associated with five fatal incidents since 2017.
Employees are expected to understand and identify gas hazards, follow the controls established through risk assessments, wear a functioning personal gas detector at all times and respect detector alarms and the corresponding evacuation procedures.
These requirements reinforce the importance of individual responsibility and strict adherence to established safety measures in potentially hazardous working environments.
Through its investments in financial accountability, technical infrastructure, vocational education and workplace safety, ArcelorMittal Liberia continues to strengthen its operational capacity and its contribution to Liberia’s workforce development.
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