China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng has attended the official launch of the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, marking a major milestone in what is expected to become one of the world’s largest sources of high-grade iron ore. The ceremony, held in southeastern Guinea, brought together senior officials from China, Guinea, and the project’s international consortium partners.
The Simandou project, co-developed by Rio Tinto, Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco), and the Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), is valued at over $15 billion and is set to transform Guinea into a global mining powerhouse. Once operational, the project is expected to produce up to 120 million tonnes of iron ore per year, providing a major supply alternative for China’s steel industry.
Vice Premier He Lifeng described the launch as a “strategic partnership milestone” that reinforces China’s long-term commitment to deepening economic ties with Africa. Guinea’s transitional president Mamady Doumbouya said the project represents “a new era of industrial and economic sovereignty” for the country.
According to Reuters and China Daily, the project includes the construction of a 600-kilometre railway and a new deep-water port to export iron ore, with completion targeted for 2026. The Simandou venture is expected to create thousands of local jobs and significantly boost Guinea’s GDP once fully operational.
