Country
Guinea
Sector
Mining & Minerals
Intelligence Type
Project
Status / Stage
Under Construction
Estimated Value
USD Billion 15
Confidence
Confirmed
Latest Development
World’s largest known high-grade iron ore deposit under active development. Two consortia: Blocks 1-2 (Winning Consortium, Chinese-backed) and Blocks 3-4 (Rio Tinto/Simfer). 670km greenfield railway (TransGuinéen) + deepwater port at Moribaya under construction. First ore shipment originally targeted 2025, delayed to 2026.
Project Details
Project TypeOpen-pit iron ore mine + 670km greenfield railway + deepwater export port
Project OwnerBlocks 1-2: Winning Consortium (Chinese); Blocks 3-4: Simfer (Rio Tinto 45%, Chinalco 40%, Guinea 15%)
Project DeveloperRio Tinto (Blocks 3-4); Winning Consortium (Blocks 1-2)
Start Date2021 (approvals)
Expected CompletionFirst ore: 2026
Current PhaseConstruction
Funding StatusPartial
Key Issues / Risks
TransGuinéen (670km railway) is critical path. Guinea political instability (military government since 2021). Wet laterite terrain challenges.
Latest Development (Detail)
Mining Review March 2026 identified Simandou as top Africa mining milestone for 2026.
What Happens Next
TransGuinéen first operational segment and first ore shipment.
Commercial Opportunity
60-120 million tonnes iron ore per year at full production — reshapes global iron ore markets.
Commercial Opportunity Intelligence
Commercial ReadinessCommercially Active
Source & Verification Trail
Last VerifiedAugust 2026
Source(s)Mining Review March 10 2026; Mining Indaba 2026; Rio Tinto investor presentations
Source DateMarch 2026