The Simandou iron ore project, Africa’s largest greenfield integrated mining and infrastructure development, has officially commenced operations, marked by an inauguration ceremony at the port of Matakong in Guinea.
The project includes over 600 kilometres of new multi-use trans-Guinean railway, along with barge and transshipment port facilities. Once fully commissioned and ramped up, the infrastructure will enable the export of up to 120 mln tons of iron ore annually from two mining concessions operated by SimFer and WCS.
WCS is a consortium of Winning International Group, Weiqiao Aluminium (part of China Hongqiao Group), and United Mining Suppliers (collectively 51pct), with Baowu Resources holding the remaining 49pct. SimFer, which operates Blocks 3 and 4 of Simandou South, is owned by the Government of Guinea (15pct) and Simfer Jersey Limited (85pct), a joint venture between Rio Tinto (53pct) and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (47pct), the latter comprising Chinalco, Baowu, China Rail Construction Corporation, and China Harbour Engineering Company.
Testing and commissioning of the mine, rail, and port systems are underway, with both SimFer and WCS beginning iron ore transport from the mine site to the port via the new railway.
