The world's largest steel company ArcelorMittal announced on Tuesday, January 19 that it has entered into initial discussions with Australian iron ore giant BHP Billiton to potentially combine their respective iron ore mining and infrastructure interests in the West African countries of Liberia and Guinea within a joint venture.
The iron ore interests of the two companies in Liberia and in Guinea are proximate and could be significantly more competitive if brought together in a combined operation, a joint press release said. The parties will be working together over the coming months to assess the merits of a partnership and will also work closely with the governments involved.