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Simandou

Simandou is an undeveloped iron-ore deposit in the Nzérékoré region of south-eastern Guinea. The deposit is considered one of the world's largest and highest-grade iron-ore resources, with reserves estimated at more than two-billion tonnes and iron content exceeding 65%. Simandou is divided into four blocks, with blocks 1 and 2 held by a consortium including the Guinean government and Singaporean interests, while blocks 3 and 4 are controlled by a joint venture between Rio Tinto, Aluminium Corporation of China, the International Finance Corporation and the Guinean government. Development of the project has been delayed for decades owing to infrastructure challenges, political instability, regulatory disputes and the remote location of the deposit. The project requires construction of a 650-km railway from the mine site to a new deepwater port on Guinea's Atlantic coast, representing one of Africa's most ambitious mining infrastructure undertakings. When operational, Simandou is expected to produce 100-million to 150-million tonnes of iron ore a year, significantly increasing Guinea's role in global iron-ore supply. The high grade of Simandou ore makes it particularly attractive for steelmakers seeking to reduce emissions, as higher-grade ore requires less energy to process. First production has been repeatedly postponed but is currently targeted for the mid-2020s, with the project positioned to reshape the global iron-ore market and challenge the dominance of established suppliers in Australia and Brazil.

Simandou News


Simandou in Guinea
Simandou offsets iron-ore supply cuts elsewhere, Macquarie says
3rd November 2026 By: Bloomberg

The ramp up at Guinea’s massive Simandou iron ore project has offset supply declines elsewhere as lower prices, high freight rates and diesel costs squeeze producers, according to Macquarie Group.... 


Powering Africa’s Next Phase of Growth - Continent’s power systems must be built for industry, not only for access
Powering Africa’s Next Phase of Growth - Continent’s power systems must be built for industry, not only for access
30th October 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Africa’s electricity systems must be planned around industrialisation, and not only household access, if the continent is to turn its mineral wealth, renewable energy potential and young population... 


Khumani iron-ore mine
China's tug-of-war with Australian miners lurks beneath iron-ore calm
26th October 2026 By: Reuters

If China's iron ore market was to be judged by import volumes alone, the image would be one of gentle and steady growth. But beneath the calm picture presented by imports of the main steel raw... 


Vale CEO Gustavo Pimenta
Vale says high costs making 10% of iron-ore market lose money
16th October 2026 By: Bloomberg

The head of top iron-ore producer Vale estimates that a surge in energy and freight costs triggered by conflict in the Middle East is making about 10% of supply in the global seaborne market... 


Iron-ore in truck
Iron-ore slips to two-year low on concerns over weak demand, hiking supply
15th October 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore prices slipped for a third straight session on Thursday to their lowest level in more than two years, weighed down by persistent concerns over weak demand in top consumer China and... 


Rio Tinto's Lac Tio ilmenite mine
Rio Tinto on track to release $5bn in capital after stronger Q3 iron-ore sales
14th October 2026 By: Reuters

Diversified miner Rio Tinto said on Wednesday it was on track to release about $5-billion in capital by the end of 2026, after strong mine performance helped lift third-quarter iron-ore sales from... 


An image of tin ore
Industrial metals post mixed third-quarter performance, downside risks persist
9th October 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Industrial metals have come under broad pressure in recent weeks, falling 3.3% month-on-month as of October 7, as expectations of a more hawkish US Federal Reserve weighed on sentiment across the... 


Iron-ore mining in Australia
Miners drag Australian shares lower as Fortescue slides on CMRG uncertainty
8th October 2026 By: Reuters

Australian shares fell on Thursday, led by miners after Fortescue warned of a drop in its cash balance and said its forecasts hinged on talks with Chinese state-backed iron ore buyer China Mineral... 


Iron-ore production
World Bank urges Guinea to use iron-ore to diversify economy
6th October 2026 By: Bloomberg

The World Bank has urged Guinea to use the revenues from the exploitation of the largest iron-ore reserve on earth to diversify and build a stronger economy. “The question we must ask ourselves is... 


Rail locomotive
Wabtec signs $700m Simandou locomotive services agreement
22nd September 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

NYSE-listed Wabtec Corporation has announced a more than $700-million long-term services agreement with public-private joint venture La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) to support its fleet of new... 


Bauxite being loaded onto a ship in Guinea
Guinea discussing alumina, energy investments with Glencore after bauxite deal, minister says
14th September 2026 By: Reuters

Guinea is discussing investment opportunities with Glencore in alumina refining and energy projects beyond last week's bauxite marketing deal, its mines minister said, as it seeks to diversify its... 


An image of Simandou
Iron-ore production set for further growth to 2030 – BMI
31st August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Global iron-ore production growth will accelerate over 2026 to 2030, averaging 2.2% growth over that period, compared with 1.2% over the previous five years, with production expected to reach... 


Iron-ore mine
China July iron-ore imports slide from June as thinning steel margins curb appetite
21st August 2026 By: Reuters

China's iron-ore imports in July slipped by 4% from the prior month, as some domestic steelmakers began equipment maintenance amid shrinking steel margins, curbing appetite for the key steelmaking... 


Iron ore
BMI revises iron-ore price forecast downward to reflect weak global market activity, demand
19th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, is revising down its iron-ore forecast to an average of $99/t from $101/t previously, noting that strong downside risks remain as weak mainland Chinese activity... 


Iron-ore pile
China July iron-ore imports slide from June as thinning steel margins curb appetite
7th August 2026 By: Reuters

China's iron-ore imports in July slipped by 4% from the prior month, as some domestic steelmakers began equipment maintenance amid shrinking steel margins, curbing appetite for the key steelmaking... 


Rio Tinto iron-ore mine
China's CMRG tells some steel mills to halt talks with Rio Tinto for shipments from September, sources say
6th August 2026 By: Reuters

China's State-owned iron-ore buyer has directed some steel mills to halt negotiations with Rio Tinto for shipments from September, two sources said, escalating pressure on the world's top iron-ore... 


An image of SimFer staff
Guinea iron-ore development reaches 74% completion
24th July 2026 By: Donna Slater

In focusing on the safe operational ramp-up of its Guinea-based Simandou iron-ore project, the SimFer joint venture (JV) is progressing with infrastructure delivery and sustained engagement across... 


Bauxite being loaded onto a ship in Guinea
Guinea first-half bauxite exports hit record high on Chinese demand
23rd July 2026 By: Reuters

Guinea's bauxite exports jumped 15% to a record high in the first half of 2026, official data showed, driven by robust Chinese demand despite mounting pressure on smaller producers from rising fuel... 


Steel rolls
China's steel sector looks weaker than it is, reverse for iron-ore - Reuters
21st July 2026 By: Reuters

China's steel sector presents something of a dilemma in trying to work out if it is soft and likely to continue to weaken, or whether it is actually performing quite strongly given the subdued... 


Ore in truck
China expands strategic mineral toolkit with new investment firm
13th July 2026 By: Bloomberg

A new, Beijing-backed mining investment vehicle is aimed at bolstering China’s grip on overseas resources, as the country pushes back against US and European efforts to curb its dominance of the... 


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pqt: 0.025s - ct: 0.065s - 105pq - 2rq
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