Deep in the Simandou mountain range lies a living treasure, one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in Guinea. Here, environmental assessments have recorded astonishing numbers: 47 large mammal species, 122 small mammals, 72 amphibians, 76 reptiles, 422 birds, and over 1,400 plant species. Among these, 61 species and four habitat types meet the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) criteria for Critical Habitat, requiring the highest level of care and protection. Among these, is one of the smallest amphibians, but no less important to keep safe; the Pic de Fon White Lipped Frog.
For Rio Tinto’s biodiversity team, protecting fragile species is more than a commitment; it is a responsibility to future generations. Some creatures found in Simandou exist nowhere else on Earth. One of them is the Pic de Fon White Lipped Frog (Amnirana fonensis), a small amphibian that lives only in the streams of this mountain range. Because of its restricted range and ecological importance, the species is considered a key indicator of the region’s environmental health, with impacts to its habitat avoided as the highest priority.
Before construction begins in any area, teams of ecologists carry out detailed inventories of local wildlife. When they encounter species like White lipped Frog, the process of safeguarding begins. Researchers carefully collect the animals by hand or with nets, placing them in containers filled with fresh, oxygenated water. At the same time, potential new habitats are surveyed and tested, with scientists measuring temperature, water flow, and dissolved oxygen to ensure the conditions match the frogs’ natural environment.
“Protecting biodiversity is part of our responsibility, not just to the species itself, but to the State,” explains Roger Delamou, Freshwater Ecology specialist. “We follow the IFC Performance Standard 6, which guides us in conserving critical habitats while allowing development to proceed responsibly. For Rio Tinto, biodiversity is 10 out of 10 in importance, it’s central to how we operate. Relocation always takes place on the same day. We collect the frogs in the cool hours of the morning, and release them later in the afternoon, when the temperature of the water is lower and the stress on the animals is reduced. This way, they have the best chance of survival.”
Some have been successfully relocated to new sites near the community of Kankoro, where surveys show they have adapted and even begun reproducing. To ensure long-term survival, the team returns every six months to monitor the habitats, checking that conditions remain stable and that the frogs continue to thrive.
David Hamilton, Senior Manager Environment and Biodiversity explains:
“Protecting biodiversity is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also essential for the long-term success of the project and the well-being of surrounding communities. We are working to minimise impacts through careful planning, robust monitoring programmes, and practical measures such as seed banking, fish salvage, and dust control. These steps make sure that our presence leaves a positive legacy for both people and nature.”
Simandou shows us that humans and wildlife are not separate worlds. With careful planning, science-based monitoring, and genuine community collaboration, coexistence is possible. The forests, rivers, and mountains of Guinea are alive with extraordinary species – and through shared responsibility, their future can be protected.