Project overview

Simandou is a world-class iron ore mining project located in the south-east of Guinea. The concession licence-holder and project company is Simfer S.A., which is currently owned 95% by Rio Tinto and 5% by International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

In July 2010, Rio Tinto and Chalco signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) covering the development and operation of the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea.

In April 2011, the Government of Guinea and Simfer S.A. signed a Settlement Agreement, which confirms Simfer SA title to a southern concession of Simandou (known as blocks 3 and 4). The Settlement Agreement provides the Government of Guinea with the right to take a stake of up to 35% in Simfer SA (the Mine) and a 51% stake in a special purpose vehicle to build, own and operate Project (Rail & Port) Infrastructure. The Settlement Agreement acknowledges participation by Chinalco through a Joint Venture with Rio Tinto.

The Simandou Project is planned to comprise three principal components:

• a 95 million tonnes per year-capacity iron ore mine in the Simandou Range in south-eastern Guinea;
• a Trans-Guinean railway of approximately 650 km to transport the ore from the mining concession to the Guinean coast; and
• a new deepwater port currently planned to be located south of Conakry in the Forécariah prefecture.

Simandou South will be the largest integrated iron ore mine and infrastructure project ever developed in Africa, with the potential to transform the Guinean economy and transport infrastructure. The Simandou Project partnership has the required expertise to build this large and complex project.  Rio Tinto focuses on developing Simandou with the high standards of health, safety, sustainability, environmental responsibility and corporate governance.  The first shipment of ore is scheduled by mid-2015.

As one of the world's biggest mining companies Rio Tinto brings technical expertise and steadfast commitment to Sustainable Development that is born from the experience of over than 65,000 employees operating in over 65 countries. 

Significant contribution to Guinea

Our priority focus is environmental, community and sustainable development objectives - in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, and in collaboration with the Government of Guinea and local and international NGOs.

The project is already creating jobs, improving infrastructure, increasing economic development and bringing international expertise to Guinea. It will also enhance environmental conservation and social development, and generate money for local economic development in one of the poorest parts of Guinea.