Simandou Iron Ore Project
The world's largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit, poised to transform Guinea's economy.
Simandou is the world's largest known deposit of high-grade iron ore, located in the Simandou mountain range in southeastern Guinea. The project is divided into two concessions: Blocks 1 and 2 are held by the Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), a joint venture led by Singapore-based Winning International Group and China's Weiqiao Aluminium; Blocks 3 and 4 are held by a Rio Tinto-led joint venture with Chalco Iron Ore Holdings and the Guinean government. The combined resource exceeds 2 billion tonnes at grades above 65% iron. A 670 km trans-Guinean railway and a deepwater port at Morebaya are being built to support exports.
- 01Develop the world's largest greenfield iron ore mine with initial capacity of 60 Mtpa
- 02Construct a 670 km trans-Guinean standard-gauge railway from the mine to the coast
- 03Build a deepwater port at Morebaya capable of handling Capesize bulk carriers
- 04Produce premium high-grade iron ore (65%+ Fe) to support steelmaking decarbonization
- 05Generate transformative economic growth and infrastructure development for Guinea
- 06Establish a co-development framework between WCS and Rio Tinto for shared infrastructure
1997 · completed
Discovery and Exploration
Extensive exploration confirmed Simandou as the world's largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit.
2019 · completed
WCS Awarded Blocks 1 & 2
The Winning Consortium Simandou was awarded mining rights for Blocks 1 and 2.
2022 · completed
Co-Development Framework
Guinea's government mandated a shared infrastructure framework between WCS and Rio Tinto.
2023 · completed
Construction Begins
Major construction commenced on the trans-Guinean railway and port infrastructure.
2025 · in progress
Infrastructure Advancement
Railway and port construction continues with thousands of workers mobilized on-site.
2026 · planned
Target First Ore
First iron ore shipment is targeted from the Simandou project.
Mineral Resource
Iron Ore Resource
Combined resource across all blocks exceeding 2 billion tonnes of high-grade hematite ore grading above 65% iron.
Transport Infrastructure
Trans-Guinean Railway
A 670 km standard-gauge heavy-haul railway connecting the mine to the Atlantic coast, the largest rail project in West Africa.
Port Infrastructure
Morebaya Deepwater Port
A new deepwater port on the Guinea coast designed to load Capesize vessels for export to global steel markets.
Mining Rights
Mining Concessions
Blocks 1-2 held by WCS and Blocks 3-4 held by Rio Tinto consortium, together covering the full Simandou range.
- Open-pit mining of high-grade hematite ore
- Heavy-haul standard-gauge railway with 40-tonne axle loads
- Deepwater port with ship-loading capacity for Capesize vessels
- Ore processing through crushing, screening, and beneficiation
- Environmental offset and biodiversity conservation programs
- Remote sensing and geological modelling for mine planning
What it means for the community
Simandou is expected to generate over $15 billion in total investment and add an estimated 15-20% to Guinea's GDP once in full production. The project will create tens of thousands of construction and operational jobs and drive massive infrastructure development including roads, rail, ports, and power. It will position Guinea as a major global iron ore supplier and provide premium-grade ore critical to reducing steel industry carbon emissions.
- Blocks 1-2: Winning Consortium Simandou
- Blocks 3-4: Rio Tinto/Chalco/Guinea Government
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