Guinea has formally begun production at the massive Simandou iron ore project, with ore to be shipped from the new Morebaya port. The four-deposit project is split between Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) and SimFer (Rio Tinto and Chinalco), and industrial partners have invested about $20 billion in over 650 km of rail and a major port. The development is expected to create several thousand direct jobs and provide a significant revenue stream for the government. The inauguration was attended by junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya, who declared a public holiday and is running for president on December 28.
Guinea Opens Massive Simandou Iron Mine — $20 Billion Rail and Port Project Begins Exports
Guinea has formally begun production at the massive Simandou iron ore project, with ore to be shipped from the new Morebaya port. The four-deposit project is split between Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) and SimFer (Rio Tinto and Chinalco), and industrial partners have invested about $20 billion in over 650 km of rail and a major port. The development is expected to create several thousand direct jobs and provide a significant revenue stream for the government. The inauguration was attended by junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya, who declared a public holiday and is running for president on December 28.
02:45 AM, 11/12/2025Economy
Guinea launches production at the Simandou iron ore project
Guinea on Tuesday formally began production at the vast Simandou iron ore project, a development officials say could help transform the poor West African nation into one of the world's leading iron exporters.
Inauguration and location: The launch ceremony took place at the new port of Morebaya, south of Conakry, where the ore will be loaded for shipment. The event was attended by the head of Guinea's ruling junta, General Mamady Doumbouya, who declared the day a public holiday.
Project ownership and scale: Simandou comprises four major deposits. Two deposits are being developed by the Chinese-Singaporean Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) and the other two by SimFer, a consortium led by mining giant Rio Tinto together with China's Chinalco. Industrial partners have invested roughly $20 billion to build more than 650 kilometres (about 400 miles) of railway and a major new port to serve the project.
Economic impact: Officials say the project is expected to generate a steady stream of revenue for the government and has already spurred large infrastructure works that could support broader economic diversification. The development also represents several thousand direct jobs related to construction and operations.
Political context: General Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup and is running for president in elections scheduled for December 28, attended the ceremony wearing a white boubou tunic but did not make a public speech. Authorities presented the launch as a major achievement for the country and for the junta leader personally.
Observers will be watching how revenues are managed and whether benefits from the project reach ordinary Guineans as exports ramp up.
Next steps: With production now under way, shipments from Morebaya are expected to begin in the coming weeks, marking the start of a new chapter for Guinea's mining sector.