Forécariah, Republic of Guinea – On the occasion of World Malaria Day 2026, SimFer marked the global campaign under the theme “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a healthier and more equitable future” through a series of community activities carried out from 23 to 25 April across its areas of operation in Guinea, in partnership with the NGO Club des Amis du Monde (CAM).
SimFer, the joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and the CIOH consortium led by Chinalco, continues to place community health at the heart of its approach to sustainable development. In malaria-endemic regions such as Beyla, Kérouané and Forécariah, the initiative reflects SimFer’s commitment to supporting national health priorities while helping local communities become healthier, more resilient, and better positioned to benefit from the long-term economic opportunities linked to the Simandou Project.
The three-day mobilisation combined prevention, treatment and community engagement, beginning with large-scale malaria screening and case management, followed by targeted door-to-door awareness-raising activities under the Home-Based Intervention Packages (Paquets d’Interventions à Domicile – PID). This was followed by the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and concluded with the official integration of the Madinagbé health district into the PID programme.
This campaign brought together senior government officials, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, as well as regional and local authorities, community leaders and partners such as Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Accordingly, Ibrahima Kalil Tounkara, Senior Manager External Affairs at Rio Tinto Guinea, said: “Malaria remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Guinea, but it is also preventable and treatable. Through our partnership with the Club des Amis du Monde, we are strengthening community-based solutions that empower households to take action, detect cases early, and protect the most vulnerable. Our ambition is clear: to contribute meaningfully to the national objective of reducing malaria and improving health outcomes across the Simandou corridor.”
Building on this mobilisation, SimFer and its partners will continue to expand PID interventions, strengthen prevention efforts, and reinforce collaboration with local health systems. These actions form part of a broader integrated approach combining health, water, sanitation and community engagement, ensuring that the development of the Simandou Project delivers lasting and inclusive benefits for communities.