ArcelorMittal has started commercial iron ore production at its mining operations in Liberia, West Africa.

ArcelorMittal has invested about $800m to date in repairing roads and infrastructure, which will enable the mining operation to operate efficiently.

The firm has completed its first iron ore test shipment and aims to ship about 4Mtpa of iron ore from Liberia by 2012.

The firm has also commissioned a team of local and international experts and NGOs to conduct a full biodiversity study in Liberia’s Nimba mountain range, to ensure that the local ecosystem is not affected.