ArcelorMittal and BHP Billiton jointly announced that they have ended preliminary discussions to combine the two companies' iron ore mining and infrastructure interests in Liberia and Guinea into a single JV.

The companies were unable to reach a commercial agreement.

ArcelorMittal said that it will continue to develop its operations and iron ore interests in Liberia independently and is excited by the potential of this business.

It said “The first phase of the project is under construction with Direct Shipping Ore production expected in the second half of 2011.”