About us
Our Vision
SimFer’s vision is driven by delivering the Simandou project with our partners in a timely, efficient, and safe manner – adhering to the internationally-recognised standards for this uniquely complex and nation building project.
Our Values - Wontanara
We are working together to create a culture which reflects who we are as an organisation, aligned with our goals which are built upon the values of care, courage and curiosity. This culture is Wontanara.
Wontanara means ‘We are together’, in Soussou (one of Guinea’s most widely spoken language).
Wontanara is how we work together at Simandou as individuals, as a team, as a community, and as part of Guinea’s future. It is our shared responsibility, across every level of our business.
Simandou Project
Located in the southeast of Guinea, the Simandou mountain range is home to some of the highest-grade iron ore in the world.
Once complete, Simandou will be Africa’s largest mine and related infrastructure project – combining an integrated rail and port servicing two independent mining operations.
The Simandou Project includes:
- SimFer S.A.’s mining project covering exploration and operation of blocks 3 and 4 of the Simandou Range. SimFer S.A. is the joint-venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea and SimFer Jersey Limited, which in turn a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH), a Chinalco-led joint venture of leading Chinese SOEs, including Baowu.
- Winning Consortium Simandou’s mining project covering exploration and operation of blocks 1 and 2 of the Simandou Range. WCS MineCo is a joint-venture between Winning Consortium Holdings and Baowu.
- With their affiliated companies, SimFer Infraco Guinée S.A., WCS Ports S.A. and WCS Railway S.A, delivering a codeveloped and co-funded 620-kilometre TransGuinéen multi-use railway; and (ii) a port on the Morebaya river South of Conakry.
Based on the co-development agreement, the WCS entities are responsible for constructing the 536km main rail line up to a tie-in point in the Kérouané region, a 16 km rail spur connecting its Blocks 1 and 2 to the main line and a barge wharf in Morebaya.
In parallel, SimFer Infraco Guinée S.A. is building a 70 km rail spur to connect blocks 3 and 4 to the main rail line and a transhipment vessel (TSV) port expansion in Morebaya.
Whilst the scopes are being separately developed by the SimFer and WCS entities, they are equally funded.
Once complete, the whole port and rail infrastructure ownership will be transferred to and operated by La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG), the joint venture between the Government of Guinea, SimFer Infraco and WCS Infraco.
Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is one of the world’s largest mining companies, producing iron ore for steel, aluminium for cars and smart phones, copper for wind turbines, diamonds that set the standard for responsible sourcing, titanium for household products, and borates for crops that feed the world.
The company is based in 35 countries and employs more than 50,000 people in mines, smelters and refineries, as well as in sales offices, data centres and research and development labs.
Rio Tinto owns 53% of SimFer Jersey Ltd, which in turn owns 85% of SimFer S.A, owner of Simandou Blocks 3 & 4.
Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH)
Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH) is a joint venture between Chinalco and major Chinese state-owned companies, including Baowu, China Rail Construction Corporation (CRCC) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
CIOH and Rio Tinto formed a joint venture company, SimFer Jersey Ltd, to invest in the development of blocks 3 and 4 of the Simandou project.
CIOH holds 47% of SimFer Jersey Ltd, which in turn holds 85% of SimFer S.A, the owner of Simandou Blocks 3 & 4.
We’re proud to be working with our partners across the world to realise the potential of the Simandou project.
Our workforce & suppliers
At SimFer, we are proud of our workforce of almost 10,000 people, more than 83% of whom are Guinean.
We are on track for our cumulative spend with Guinean business’s to exceed US$1bn before the end of 2024. We are working to create local employment opportunities, support local communities, catalyse opportunities for local businesses and strengthen skills within the Guinean workforce.
Our Leadership
Chris Aitchison
Managing Director
Chris Aitchison is the managing director of SimFer and has led the Simandou project since 2022.
An Australian national, Chris brings over two decades of mining industry experience, including seven years at Rio Tinto, where he worked as Project Director at Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia. He is responsible for ensuring safety, sustainability, and profitability in the Simandou project, driving economic growth, and promoting environmental stewardship. Chris Aitchison holds a degree from the Western Australia School of Mines.
Therese Dower
General Manager HSE
Therese Dower is the General Manager of Health, Safety & Environment at SimFer and joined the Simandou project in 2024 with nearly two decades of global experience in the mining and construction sectors.
Therese oversees a portfolio involving safety, occupational health, emergency response, medical and environment, focusing on fatality prevention and environmental impact mitigation.
Therese holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental management from The University of Queensland and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from the University of South Australia.
Francis Pérani
Chief Financial Officer
Francis Pérani is the Chief Financial Officer of the Simandou Project, based in Conakry.
Francis has over 15 years of experience in the mining and metal business with Rio Tinto and 6 years of experience in Africa, including 2 years with CBG as CFO. He has managed major projects and operations, mainly in the bauxite and aluminium sector. Francis holds a diploma from Science Po Paris and an MBA from HEC Montreal.
Eric Planque
General Manager, Mine Services and Logistics
Eric Planque is Director of Mining Services and Logistics at SimFer and joined the Simandou project in 2021. Eric has worked for Rio Tinto for over 15 years in operations management. He is responsible for overseeing operations in the country, in Conakry and at the mine site. Eric is a graduate of Polytechnique Montréal and has the necessary skills to manage large-scale mining operations.
Ron Gordon
General Manager Mine
Ron Gordon is the General Manager Mine at SimFer.
Ron has accumulated more than 25 years of global experience in the mining sector, including over a decade in leadership roles, notably at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia. He is responsible for all operations related to mining activities, including mine technical services, operational crushing activities, and bulk earthworks (BEW) currently being carried out at the Oueleba site.
Ron holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) and a Diploma of Maintenance Management from the University of Central Queensland.
Djaber Belabdi
Project Director Infrastructure
Djaber Belabdi is the Project Director Infrastructure at SimFer and has been a part of the Simandou Project since 2022. Previously, Djaber has held roles such as Head of Capital Projects at CEPSA, Major Project Advisor at Premier Oil, and a 15-year career with British Petroleum. He manages infrastructure projects, including strategic planning, project management, stakeholder coordination, and ensuring timely, budget-friendly, and quality completion.
Djaber holds degrees from UMIST, the University of Manchester, and IE Business School.
Candace Ramcharan
General Manager Communities & Social Performance
Candace Ramcharan is the General Manager of Communities & Social Performance at SimFer with over two decades of experience in the mining and metal industry.
Candace has been working on the Simandou Project since 2022 and manages the company’s social performance, stakeholder engagement, and community development initiatives. She has previously held roles at Rio Tinto, Anglo American, and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. Candace holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration from HEC Montreal.
Mike Castel
Project Director
Mike Castel is the Project Director at SimFer and has been part of the Simandou Project since 2024.
With 25 years of extensive experience in project development (5 continents, 19 countries), in the energy and resource industries, Mike manages the Simandou mine project, delivering safety performance, strategic planning, risk management, and timely completion.
He spent the majority of his work experience holding project leadership positions at Shell’s major projects group, was seconded into joint ventures such as Qatar Gas, North Caspian Operating Company, and he started his career with Bechtel’s Oil & Gas Division. Mike holds two master’s degrees: one in construction engineering & management from Purdue University, in the USA and one in civil engineering from the Ecole Superieure des Travaux Publics, in France. Mike is a Chartered Project Professional certified by the Association of Project Management and a registered professional engineer in France (Ingenieur diplome d’Etat).
Stephen Canning
General Manager Project services
Stephen Canning is the General Manager of project services at SimFer and joined the Simandou project in 2022 with nearly four decades of experience in project management, services and control industry; with over 2 decades of those years spent in international roles across the mining, power, oil and gas sector.
Stephen is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team of project professionals, overseeing all aspects of project services including cost control, planning and scheduling, contracts and procurement, reporting and document and data management.
Stephen holds a BSc in Law from Carleton University and has completed Executive Management Programs at Harvard Business School and University of Oxford Saïd Business School.
Hervé Sabatier
General Manager Human Resources
Hervé Sabattier is the General Manager of Human Resources at SimFer and joined the Simandou project in early 2023. With three decades of professional experience in international talent recruitment, people development, industrial relations, expatriate management, performance management, and organizational change.
As General Manager HR, his responsibilities include overseeing all human resource functions, driving and ensuring effective employee relations within the organization.
Hervé holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of London and has completed a master’s program in Human Resources from the International Institute for Management Development.
Robbie Tilley
Security Operations Manager
Robbie Tilley is the Security Operations Manager at SimFer. Robbie is a seasoned professional with expertise in global enterprise resilience, regional security, and crisis management. He has a proven track record in designing and implementing effective security and resilience strategies. Robbie, a former British Army Officer, has a collaborative leadership style, fluency in multiple languages, and strong interpersonal relationships.
