Africa’s largest greenfield iron ore and rail project launches in Guinea

Guinea

CONAKRY, November 11, 2025 – Operations have begun at the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, the largest greenfield integrated mine and infrastructure development in Africa, the consortium said on Monday.

The project includes over 600 kilometres of multi-use trans-Guinean rail and new barge and trans-shipment port facilities. Once fully commissioned, the infrastructure will support up to 120 million tonnes per year of iron ore exports by SimFer and WCS from their respective mining blocks.

Testing and commissioning of the mine, rail and port system are underway, with both companies already transporting iron ore via the new railway. The Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) will operate the infrastructure after handover, with SimFer and WCS each holding 42.5% and the Guinean government retaining a 15% stake.

“This collective success reflects the vision of the Head of State and the determination of an entire nation to build a future of shared prosperity,” said Djiba Diakité, chairman of the Simandou 2040 Strategic Committee.

Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott called the project “an exceptional new source of high-grade iron ore that is in demand from customers for low-carbon steel making.”

Chinalco president Wang Shilei described the launch as “an important achievement guided by the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries.”

WCS is a consortium made up of Winning International Group, Weiqiao Aluminium and United Mining Suppliers, alongside Baowu Resources. SimFer is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings, with stakes also held by Baowu, China Rail Construction Corporation and China Harbour Engineering Company.

Rio Tinto operates a global portfolio of iron ore assets, with major operations in Australia’s Pilbara region and in Canada. In Guinea, Rio Tinto is developing the Simandou South Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer. Chinalco, Baowu and other Chinese SOEs partner in this development to secure high-grade iron ore for China’s low-carbon steel production goals.