ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel bid for Liberian iron ore project

February 11, 2009: Liberia's $1.6-billion Western Cluster iron ore project has received bids from ArcelorMittal and Tata Steel among others.

The bidding process will be completed by June, according to an international media report. Deputy mines minister E.C.B. Jones said, "We've had a number of prospective bidders, including some that bid before." The Western Cluster project has two closed mines and three other deposits.

In September, Liberia had canceled Delta Mining Consolidated Ltd's contract and barred the company and the Tatas from participating in a new tender, saying the initial bid may have been compromised by "external influence or impropriety."

Source: Steel Insights Bureau