SIMFER, the joint venture of the government of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and the Chinalco-led CIOH consortium, has celebrated the arrival of the first four locomotives for the Simandou mining and infrastructure project at the Port of Morébaya, Guinea.

These are the first of 78 locomotives ordered by Rio Tinto SimFer under a $US 277m contract placed with Wabtec in July 2024 on behalf of La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG), the entity established to own and operate the railway and port infrastructure for the Simandou iron ore project.

The mining and infrastructure development project includes the construction of the 670km Trans-Guinean Railway from Beyla to Forécariah and a deep-water port at Moribayah. Work to build the new railway began last year.

Wabtec’s plant in Marhowra, India, is assembling the ES43Aci locomotives for Rio Tinto SimFer under what the manufacturer says is the first and largest export order for heavy-haul locomotives to be produced at this facility. The new locomotives are equipped with a 3.36MW Evolution Series diesel engine, designed and manufactured in the United States.

Chris Aitchison, managing director of Rio Tinto SimFer, described the milestone as “a landmark moment for the Simandou project and for Guinea,” adding that the locomotives “are a visible sign of the progress we are making and the future benefits the TransGuinean railway will bring by connecting communities, enabling trade, and supporting sustainable development across the country.”

CTG is a joint venture between Rio Tinto SimFer and Winning Consortium Simandou (each holding 42.5%) and the government of Guinea (15%). After a 35-year operating period, ownership of the entire infrastructure will be transferred to the Guinean state.

Further locomotive deliveries are expected in the coming months.

Wabtec also signed a separate contract worth $US 248m with Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) to supply an additional 65 Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives and associated services in January. These locomotives will be deployed on the Trans-Guinean Railway.

WCS is also working to develop the Simandou iron ore deposits. It is a joint venture of Winning International, headquartered in Singapore, and China Hongqiao Group.

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