Guinea’s Simandou Railway and Port Commissioning Begins: Six Hundred Kilometers New Line to Transport One Hundred Twenty Million Tonnes of Iron-Ore Annually from Simandou Mine

Published on December 20, 2025

The long-awaited commissioning and testing phase of Guinea’s Simandou railway and port infrastructure is officially underway. Spanning 600 km, the integrated railway connects the Simandou iron-ore mine in southeastern Guinea to a newly constructed port in the Forécariah prefecture. On December 3, the first ship departed from the port, marking a significant milestone in what is one of Africa’s largest greenfield integrated mine and infrastructure projects.

Project Overview and Significance

The Simandou project is a joint development between the Guinean government, SimFer, and WCS. It includes the construction of both a railway and a deep-water port, designed to transport iron-ore from the mine to global markets. Once fully commissioned and operational, the project will facilitate the transportation of up to 120 million tonnes of high-grade iron ore annually, with SimFer and WCS managing the shipments from their respective mining concessions at Simandou.

The project holds immense significance not only for Guinea’s mining sector but also for the global iron ore market, as it unlocks a valuable source of iron ore in high demand for low-carbon steelmaking.

Development Partnerships and Ownership

The SimFer joint venture, responsible for Simandou South Blocks 3 and 4, is primarily owned by Simfer Jersey, a partnership between Rio Tinto (53%) and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings, China (47%). WCS, on the other hand, is a consortium made up of Winning International Group and Weiqiao Aluminium, China (51%), and Baowu Resources (49%).

Upon full commissioning of the infrastructure, all operations and management responsibilities will be transferred to the TransGuinéen Company (CTG). SimFer and WCS will each hold a 42.5% stake in CTG, with the remaining 15% held by the Guinean government.

Economic Impact and Global Relevance

The commissioning of the Simandou railway and port will be transformative for Guinea’s economy. It is expected to create significant employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and increase the country’s export capacity, particularly in iron ore. As the demand for low-carbon steel grows globally, Simandou’s high-grade iron ore will play a crucial role in meeting this demand, with Rio Tinto’s CEO Simon Trott highlighting the importance of the project in strengthening their global portfolio of iron ore mines.

The project also provides Guinea with the infrastructure needed to become a major player in the global iron ore market, offering a direct, efficient route to the global markets via the port, which is expected to become a key hub for iron ore exports.

Environmental and Infrastructure Considerations

In addition to its economic benefits, the Simandou project is seen as a model for modern mining infrastructure in Africa. By combining mining, rail, and port facilities in a single integrated system, it reduces logistics costs and improves efficiency, making it an attractive project for investors. Furthermore, the project has been developed with environmental considerations in mind, particularly in ensuring sustainable mining practices and minimizing ecological impact.

Conclusion

The commissioning of the Simandou railway and port marks the beginning of a new era for Guinea’s mining industry and its role in the global iron ore market. With the project poised to transport millions of tonnes of iron ore annually, it will not only boost Guinea’s economy but also enhance global steel production through the supply of high-grade materials for low-carbon steelmaking. As the infrastructure ramps up to full capacity, Simandou’s success will be closely watched as a model for large-scale, integrated mining projects in Africa and beyond.