Ivanhoe Strengthens Leadership, As Liberia Rail Deal Advances Kon Kweni Iron Ore Project

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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia: Ivanhoe Atlantic has reshaped its board and senior management as it positions itself for construction of its flagship Kon Kweni ultra-high-grade iron ore project in Guinea, following Liberia’s legislative ratification of a key rail and port access agreement.

The company said the changes are intended to sharpen its focus on the United States as it prepares for capital raising and project development. The Liberian Legislature recently ratified Ivanhoe Atlantic’s Concession and Access Agreement, granting the company access to Liberia’s multi-user railway and port infrastructure to transport iron ore from the Nimba region to global markets.

Ivanhoe Atlantic said the agreement strengthens its operations in both Liberia and Guinea and aligns with growing U.S. interest in securing critical minerals, a stated priority of the administration of President Donald J. Trump.

Former U.S. envoy takes executive role

As part of the leadership overhaul, retired U.S. Ambassador J. Peter Pham has transitioned from non-executive chairman to executive chairman and interim chief executive officer. Pham has served on the company’s board since September 2023.

Pham previously served as U.S. special envoy for the Great Lakes region from 2018 to 2020 and for the Sahel from 2020 to 2021. He was granted the personal rank of ambassador by President Trump.

Ivanhoe Atlantic also announced the appointment of three U.S. citizens as non-executive directors: Erik Bethel, Samantha Carl-Yoder and Daniel Pfeffer. The company said the new directors bring extensive experience in finance, law, critical minerals and global investment.

Bethel is a global finance professional with experience in both the private and public sectors. Carl-Yoder is co-chair of the International and Critical Minerals Practices at the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and previously spent two decades at the U.S. Department of State. Pfeffer has worked for most of his career in the global critical minerals sector, with experience spanning technical operations, finance and management.

The company said the appointments underscore its intention to raise future capital exclusively in U.S.-aligned markets to fund construction of the Kon Kweni project.

Ivanhoe Atlantic’s majority shareholder, I-Pulse Inc., said its chairman, Robert Friedland, met with President Trump this week at the White House. According to the company, Trump congratulated Friedland for his efforts to bring metals to the U.S. market.

The meeting comes as the U.S. administration advances its “Project Vault” initiative, a $1.67 billion critical minerals stockpile aimed at protecting U.S. markets from supply disruptions. Transport corridors such as the so-called Liberty Corridor — linking Liberia’s Yekepa-Buchanan railway and port to international markets — are increasingly important in positioning Liberia as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment.

On Feb. 4, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department, bringing together delegations from more than 50 countries. The meeting focused on strengthening and diversifying global supply chains for minerals considered essential to technological innovation, economic growth and national security. The establishment of Liberia’s National Rail Authority is seen as a critical step toward managing the corridor and generating significant revenue for the West African nation.