Conakry, Republic of Guinea – Rio Tinto released its fourth quarter 2024 results, stressing that the Simandou high-grade iron ore project is on schedule with the SimFer mine expected to achieve first production at the mine gate in 2025.
In 2024, the project achieved crucial milestones, notably with the closing of the co-development agreements and the granting of all necessary regulatory approvals. Significant progress has been made on the SimFer mine, rail spur and port, enabling the completion of major project construction interim milestones agreed with the Guinean Government.
Over the past year, SimFer completed 100% of the piles for the five bridges on its rail spur, delivering Bridge #2 over the Milo River in October 2024, named the 25 March 2022 Bridge. Tunnel excavation activity on the SimFer scope is now more than 75% complete. With the arrival of track laying locomotives, 8.5 kilometres of rail was installed on the SimFer Spur Line linking the SimFer mine at Beyla to the TransGuinéen main line at Kérouané.
Major progress has also been made at the mine, with earthworks and the commissioning of the Tin Djou and Siatourou camp sites, providing accommodation for almost 5,000 employees working on the development of the SimFer mine out of a total SimFer workforce of approximatively 15,000. At the port, SimFer’s teams are continuing to make significant progress, and have already completed the construction of the curtain wall for the car dumper, over 80% of the excavation of its pit, and 90% of the steel piles for the future transhipment vessel loading wharf.
Chris Aitchison, Managing Director of SimFer said: « 2024 was a pivotal year for the Simandou project. We are proud of the significant progress made on all construction sites, demonstrating that we are on track to achieve first production from the SimFer mine in 2025. These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our teams, subcontractors and partners, who remain strongly committed to delivering Simandou in accordance with our investment framework and internationally recognised environmental, social and governance standards.»
Rio Tinto is committed to delivering the Simfer scope of the Simandou project with significant and tangible economic and social benefits to local communities. In 2024, Simfer invested more than GNF 55 billion (US$ 6.4 million) in social initiatives, including the construction of infrastructure and the implementation of programmes contributing to the improvement of living conditions for communities in the vicinity of our operations.
