Disclosures
Environmental And Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, or ESIA, is the result of several years of studies and measures designed to evaluate the impact that a project could have on the environment and society.
Simfer has finalised ESIAs for its mine, rail spur and iron ore handling and export port facilities. All these assessments have been approved by the Guinean government.
Simfer’s ESIA of the mine and rail spur covers the Ouéléba mine and associated infrastructure, in addition to the rail spur and related infrastructure. This ESIA outlines the steps we are taking to maximise the benefits of the Simandou project for local populations and to minimise any potential direct and indirect adverse effects.
The Simfer ESIA for the Iron Ore Handling and Export Port Facilities Project outlines the measures we are taking to account for and minimise potential direct or indirect adverse effects of our operations on the Simfer port on the Morebaya River.
The cumulative impacts across the entire Simandou project are being assessed and mitigation measures will be described in a distinct ESIAs that will be collated into an over-arching Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The ESMP will be a live document that will be updated throughout the lifespan of the mine.
Wherever we operate, we put in place measures to avoid, minimise, restore and offset any potential impacts on the environment or local communities.
We are privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to the future of this inspiring country by bringing to life a unique, transformative and historic project. We are grateful to the Government of the Republic of Guinea for its continued partnership and collaboration.
To read the non-technical summary of Simfer’s ESIA of the mine and rail spur, click here.
To read the non-technical summary of Simfer’s ESIA for the iron ore handling and export project, click here.
Due to the size of the complete ESIA documents, they are available upon request via [email protected].
Human Rights Impact Assessment
At SimFer, our commitment to human rights is core to our values, in line with Rio Tinto’s global commitments. We strive to treat all individuals with dignity and respect, including our employees, contractors, supply chain workers, local communities, and others affected by our activities and business relationships.
In 2024, SimFer commissioned Article One, a consultancy specializing in human rights and ethics, to conduct Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIA) for the SimFer mine, as well as related infrastructure, including the SimFer rail spur and port.
These studies are part of our commitment to transparently understanding our impacts and working to continuously learn and improve. The HRIA identified potential human rights risks and impacts associated with SimFer’s activities and include 27 recommendations to SimFer, categorized as follows:
- Twelve recommendations have already been implemented, with ongoing progress monitoring underway.
- Thirteen recommendations are currently being implemented and are expected to be completed in 2025.
- Two recommendations are accepted and are currently in the planning phase for implementation in 2025.
A summary of the HRIA is available here and our response including a progress update on each of the recommendations is here.
For any additional questions regarding the report and the implementation of the recommendations, please contact our Human Rights team at: [email protected].
