Rio Tinto and SimFer will host the second edition of their Supplier Recognition Ceremony in Conakry on 13 May 2026, highlighting the growing role of Guinean businesses in the development of the world-class Simandou Project iron ore project.
The event, organised by SimFer — the joint venture between the Government of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and the CIOH consortium led by Chinalco — reflects the project’s increasing emphasis on local procurement, supplier development, and responsible supply chain management. The ceremony will bring together senior executives from Rio Tinto Guinea and SimFer, alongside representatives from government institutions, the private sector, and the media.
Since 2022, SimFer has significantly expanded its supplier ecosystem in Guinea, positioning procurement as a strategic pillar for economic development and local capacity building. According to the company, in-country spending reached US$1.7 billion in 2025, with more than 1,000 active suppliers currently participating across the project’s supply chain. A growing share of contracts is now being awarded to Guinean-owned and Guinea-based enterprises, ranging from major construction contractors to small and medium-sized local businesses.
Aboubacar Koulibaly, Country Director of Rio Tinto Guinea, said the awards recognise both supplier performance and the increasing participation of Guinean companies in the Simandou value chain.
He noted that Guinean businesses are now contributing across a broad spectrum of activities, from large-scale engineering and operational contracts to the provision of essential goods and community-based services. According to Koulibaly, strengthening local participation is critical not only for the responsible delivery of Simandou, but also for creating long-term economic value and broader multiplier effects for Guinea’s economy.
The Supplier Recognition Ceremony also reinforces Rio Tinto SimFer’s commitment to international operating standards and ESG performance. Chris Aitchison, Managing Director of SimFer, emphasised that supplier engagement and performance remain central to the successful execution of the Simandou project.
He stated that the awards reflect the company’s expectations in areas such as health and safety, ethics, operational reliability, and local content. The initiative aims to spotlight companies that contribute positively to Guinea’s economic development while meeting internationally recognised mining and procurement standards.
Award recipients and nominees are selected through a structured and transparent evaluation process based on performance indicators aligned with SimFer’s operational requirements and Rio Tinto’s corporate values.
The 2026 edition will recognise suppliers across several categories, including operational excellence for goods and services, health, safety and environment (HSE) performance, local engagement, and leadership values such as courage, curiosity, and care. Additional distinctions include the Rio Tinto Guinea Award, the Wontanara Grand Prize, and the CEO Award.
For mining sector stakeholders, the initiative underscores the broader transformation taking place around the Simandou development, which is increasingly serving as a catalyst for industrial growth, supplier formalisation, and skills development in Guinea. As project construction advances, local procurement and supplier performance are expected to remain central to discussions around economic impact, sustainability, and long-term mining sector value creation.
The continuation of the Supplier Recognition Ceremony following its inaugural edition in 2025 also signals the project’s intention to institutionalise supplier development as a core component of its operational strategy.
With Simandou widely regarded as one of the largest undeveloped high-grade iron ore deposits globally, the scale of procurement opportunities associated with the project is likely to continue reshaping Guinea’s mining supply chain landscape in the years ahead.
