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Iron Ore
The primary raw material used to make steel, which is strong, long-lasting and cost-efficient
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The lightest of all metals, it is a key element needed for low-carbon technologies
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Tough but malleable, corrosion-resistant and recyclable, and an excellent conductor of heat and transmitter of electricity
Bringing to market materials critical to urbanisation and the transition to a low-carbon economy
Oyu Tolgoi
One of the most modern, safe and sustainable operations in the world
Rincon Project
A long-life, low-cost and low-carbon lithium source
Simandou Project
The world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit
Providing materials the world needs in a responsible way
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We’re targeting net zero emissions by 2050
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The Simandou mountain range lies in the south-east of the Republic of Guinea, over a surface area more than 100km. Its subsoils contain a world class Ore Reserve of high-grade iron ore, estimated at around 1.5 billion tonnes1. Developing a project of Simandou’s scale is a unique opportunity.
Simandou is divided into 4 blocks. We hold rights to blocks 3 and 4 through Rio Tinto SimFer – a joint venture with the Government of Guinea and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Rio Tinto is the majority shareholder and managing partner of Rio Tinto SimFer.
We are also working with the Government of Guinea and Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), developers of Simandou blocks 1 and 2, to co-develop the infrastructure needed to export mined iron ore from the far southeast of the country to Guinea’s maritime borders and beyond. These include 600km of rail infrastructure – spanning the length of the country – as well as port infrastructure on the coast of the Forécariah prefecture in Guinea. To this end, La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) was incorporated in March 2022. Ownership of the CTG is split between development partners, Rio Tinto SimFer and WCS, each at 42.5% equity share, with the Government of the Republic of Guinea taking a 15% free carry equity stake.
Simandou at a glance
Iron ore is the primary raw material used to make steel. Steel is strong, long-lasting and cost-efficient – making it perfect for everything from cars and fridges to wind turbines and skyscrapers. The premium grade of Simandou iron ore broadens our global portfolio of iron ore products, complementing our existing, long-term iron ore production in Australia’s Pilbara region and in Canada.
Simandou is a complex, uniquely transformative project. From the associated infrastructure corridor to the thousands of jobs the project will create, the project will positively impact the Guinean economy, creating opportunities and development potential which will benefit the people of Guinea for generations to come.
As with any significant development project, challenges will need to be carefully managed, including minimising adverse social, health, safety and environmental impacts while simultaneously fostering positive and tangible change for local communities and other key stakeholders.
Throughout the history of our involvement in the Simandou project, we have maintained regular community consultation designed to maintain dialogue with local communities by addressing questions, concerns and additional opportunities to provide support.
We are committed to developing the Simandou project in line with internationally recognised environmental, social and governance standards. This includes transparently reporting on impacts of our mining operations, and continuing to work alongside local stakeholders on ways of mitigating these impacts. We recognise the responsibility we are entrusted with and see ourselves as long-term stewards of natural resources. We will continue to work alongside communities to ensure the Simandou project is developed with environmental stewardship and social wellbeing at its core.
Rio Tinto has put the net-zero transition at the heart of its business strategy and operations. We are taking steps to decarbonise our mining activities while investing in commodities that enable low-carbon technologies.
The high grade of the Simandou ore makes it an essential resource for reducing the carbon intensity of steel production, and a key enabler of the energy transition.
Work on the mines and infrastructure is well underway and in July 2025, we announced that first shipment from Simandou is accelerated to around November 2025 with ore railed from the SimFer mine to the main rail line via the SimFer rail spur and initially shipped through the WCS port while construction of the SimFer port is finalised. We project production ramping up over 30 months and reaching 60 Mtpa production at the SimFer mine by 2028.
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto is deeply saddened to confirm that an employee from a contracting company has died following an incident on Saturday at the SimFer port site on the Simandou project in Morebaya, Guinea. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: “Our deepest condolences go to the family, friends, colleagues and communities affected by this tragedy. Our focus is on offe
SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto will provide an update today at its Investor Seminar on the world class Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, which is being progressed in partnership with CIOH, a Chinalco-led consortium, Winning Consortium Simandou1 (WCS), Baowu and the Republic of Guinea. Simandou is the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit. The Simfer joint venture’s2 mi
CONAKRY, Guinea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto and the Simfer1 joint venture (Simfer) reached an important milestone today by concluding key agreements with the Republic of Guinea and Winning Consortium Simandou2 (WCS) on the trans-Guinean infrastructure for the world class Simandou iron ore project. The Co-Development Convention with the Republic of Guinea and associated agreements adjusting
The region around Simandou contains unique and precious biodiversity, including endangered and critically endangered species such as Western Chimpanzees and Forest Elephants.
We are committed to constructing and operating the SimFer mine and infrastructure in line with internationally recognised standards which help to manage the risks and impacts of projects of this type on biodiversity, including endangered species.
At the core of this commitment is alignment with the International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s Performance Standard 6 (PS6) which focuses on biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of living natural resources. It underscores the importance of protecting biodiversity, maintaining ecosystems and ecosystem services (meaning the ‘services’ such as clean water, oxygen production, and flood prevention that humans rely on), and promoting sustainable development.
The IFC is part of the World Bank Group and aims to advance economic development around the world by reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development.
IFC’s Sustainability Framework, including its policies, guidelines and performance standards are widely recognised as the international standard for sustainability performance.
SimFer and the wider Simandou project are committed to operating in line with IFC Performance Standards.
Key objectives of PS6 include:
PS6 provides guidelines for identifying and mitigating environmental risks associated with development projects, emphasising the need to assess impacts on natural and critical habitats and to implement a Mitigation Hierarchy: avoid, minimise, restore, and offset. It is considered best practice for biodiversity conservation across multiple sectors.
We have fully committed to aligning to IFC's PS6 to ensure responsible environmental stewardship. One of the core tenets of PS6 is the Mitigation Hierarchy.
The Mitigation Hierarchy is a structured approach used to manage biodiversity and environmental risks associated with development projects. As a global leader in mining and metals, we have integrated the mitigation hierarchy into its approach to environmental impact at every stage of developing the SimFer mine and infrastructure. It consists of 4 key steps:
To achieve any Net Gain requires offsetting as described above and SimFer has embarked on an extensive offset programme in Guinea, with a broad swath of potential offset sites currently undergoing studies for their suitability since 2023.
In developing offsets, the involvement of the community is essential. We recognise the pivotal role of local communities and continue to engage as part of the studies to identify the economic opportunities that can be leveraged from the offsets while supporting environmental stewardship.
All of Simandou’s project partners are committed to working together to implement PS6 and Rio Tinto and SimFer are engaged to support a whole-project approach which takes into account biodiversity impacts across both Simandou mines and the infrastructure currently being constructed by WCS.
SimFer has completed Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for its mine, rail and port infrastructure. These contain detailed information on SimFer’s impacts including how it will manage them in line with PS6. Details of how to access these Assessments can be found on the SimFer website.
By its very nature, mining and processing can impact surrounding communities. Yet it delivers significant economic and social benefits, yielding materials needed for the energy transition and demands of increasing urbanisation. It also creates local employment; small business development; tax and royalty streams; and training, skills, and community development.
Our teams – ranging from archaeologists and economic development experts to human rights specialists and our operational leaders – work closely with communities to understand how our work affects their lives, their culture and their heritage. By doing so, we can respond to community concerns, optimise benefits and work to minimise negative impacts.
Throughout the history of our involvement in the Simandou project, we have maintained regular community consultation forums and sessions designed to maintain dialogue with local communities by addressing questions, concerns and additional opportunities to provide support. This work continues actively as we progress through construction and into operations.
Immeuble Camayenne Corniche Nord Commune Dixinn BP848, Conakry Republic of Guinea
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