Conakry, Republic of Guinea – SimFer, the joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and the CIOH consortium led by Chinalco, today provided an operational update on progress across the Simandou project during the first half of 2026.
Construction activities at both the mine and port continue to advance at pace and remain on schedule. Nearly three-quarters of the overall project is now complete, while full commissioning of the rail network was successfully achieved during the first quarter of 2026. At the SimFer mine, earthworks and construction of permanent facilities continue, with overall progress reaching 77%. Port infrastructure is now 85% complete, with commissioning remaining on track for the first quarter of 2027.
The second quarter of 2026 also marked a continued ramp-up of operations, supported by increased rail logistics capacity provided by la Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG). As part of this progressive operational ramp-up, 1.6 million tonnes of iron ore were shipped to China during the second quarter, bringing total shipments to 2.2 million tonnes in the first half of 2026.
SimFer managing director Chris Aitchison said: “The progress achieved over recent months reflects the dedication of our teams and the strength of our partnership with the Government of Guinea and all our project partners. We continue to advance the project safely and responsibly while preparing for the next phase of operations. Our priority remains to create lasting value for Guinea, its communities and all stakeholders connected to the project.”
Beyond operational progress, SimFer continues to maximise the project’s economic and social benefits through employment, skills development and increased participation of Guinean businesses. To date, SimFer has spent US$210.5 million with Guinean suppliers and businesses in 2026, reinforcing its commitment to developing local content and creating long-term value for Guinea.
Highlights for the first half of 2026
- Mine and port construction more than three-quarters complete.
- Full commissioning of the rail network completed during the first quarter of 2026.
- 1.6 million tonnes of iron ore shipped during the second quarter of 2026.
- 2.2 million tonnes of iron ore shipped during the first half of 2026.
- Port commissioning remains on track for the first quarter of 2027.
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