Conakry, Guinea – Close collaboration with local communities is essential to the success of the Simandou project. Through its Local Voices programme, Rio Tinto SimFer is strengthening relationships with local communities by placing their views and concerns at the centre of its decision-making and using structured feedback to improve engagement and performance.
In 2024 and 2025, Rio Tinto SimFer funded an independent survey in 36 villages and districts within the prefectures of Beyla, Macenta, Kérouané and Forécariah. Delivered in six local languages, the survey gathered feedback from communities living near the Simandou project activities. The results show a clear increase in trust and acceptance of the project.
Fanta Keita, Community Relations Manager at Rio Tinto SimFer, said: “Transparency and community involvement are essential to strengthen our social and environmental performance. We will continue to work closely with communities by sharing key information with them while involving them in the design, implementation and monitoring of the work we do.”
From community feedback to concrete action
After the first round of surveys in 2024, Rio Tinto SimFer took concrete steps to respond to community concerns – strengthening training on how to raise complaints and increasing engagement with communities. By 2025, these efforts delivered tangible results with satisfaction relating to problem resolution increasing from 38% to 73%.
Environmental priorities remain central
The survey results also show that environmental impacts remain a key concern for communities. While local residents continue to raise the impacts of the project, communities also recognize the efforts made to mitigate them. Community forums, discussion groups and formal meetings have supported the development of sustainable solutions together.
Maintaining the momentum
Rio Tinto SimFer will share the survey results with communities, along with the areas of action to focus on improving. The Local Voices programme will remain a critical tool as the project transitions from construction to operations, a phase in which communities may experience project impacts differently.
Fanta Keita added: “Transparency reflects our commitment to enacting real change. By using community-based tools, we can better measure levels of trust and accountability and make this project better every day.”