Simandou partners marked the start of operations on 11 November 2025. The President of the Republic of Guinea joined project partners WCS, Baowu, Chinalco and Rio Tinto at a ceremony at the port in Forécariah prefecture to commemorate the occasion.
The project includes more than 600 kilometres of new multi-use trans-Guinean rail, together with barge and Transhipment Vessel port facilities. Once commissioning and ramp-up are complete, the infrastructure will support the export of up to 120 million tonnes per year of iron ore from SimFer and WCS, sourced from their respective Simandou mining concessions in the southeast of the country.
Testing and commissioning of the mine, rail and barge port system is underway, with both WCS and SimFer having begun transporting iron ore from the mine gate to the port via the trans-Guinean rail line.
The project is being co-developed by the Government of the Republic of Guinea, SimFer and WCS. Following commissioning, all co-developed infrastructure and rolling stock will be transferred to and operated by the Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG), in which SimFer and WCS each hold 42.5 percent, and the Government of Guinea holds the remaining 15 percent.
Djiba Diakité, Minister and Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic and Chairman of the Simandou 2040 Strategic Committee, said that the project represents a national milestone and reflects the determination of the country to pursue shared prosperity and sustainable development.
Winning Consortium Chairman Sun Xiushun stated that the achievement reflects years of work and partnership and that the consortium is pleased to have fulfilled its commitments.
Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott noted the contribution of employees and partners and highlighted the project as an important new source of high-grade iron ore.
Chinalco President Wang Shilei said the start of operations reflects cooperation between China and Guinea and contributes to Guinea’s industrialisation and modernisation efforts.
Chairman of China Baowu Group, Hu Wangming, said the commencement of operations marks a significant milestone for the global mining industry and that Simandou’s premium iron ore will support low-carbon steel production while contributing to Guinea’s economic and social development.
