COMMISSIONING and testing are now underway of the integrated 600km trans-Guinean railway and port serving the Simandou iron-ore mine in the southeast of the country. The first ship left the port on December 3 and once commissioning and ramp up has been completed, up to 120 million tonnes of iron-ore will be transported by SimFer and WCS from their respective Simandou mining concessions.
The project is being jointly developed by the Guinean government, SimFer and WCS. The SimFer joint venture comprises Simfer SA, the holder of Simandou South Blocks 3 and 4, which is owned by the government (15%) and Simfer Jersey (85%), a joint venture between Rio Tinto (53%) and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings, China, (47%). WCS is a consortium of Winning International Group and Weiqiao Aluminium, China (51%) and Baowu Resources (49%).
Once commissioned, all the infrastructure and rolling stock will be transferred to and operated by the TransGuinéen Company (CTG), in which SimFer and WCS each hold a 42.5% equity stake, with the government holding the remaining 15%.
“We are unlocking an exceptional new source of high-grade iron ore that is in demand from customers for low-carbon steel making, enhancing our world-class portfolio of iron ore mines in the Pilbara and Canada,” says Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott.
For more information on African rail projects, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
