Rio Tinto subsidiary SimFer has reinforced its commitment to local content development and operational excellence through the second edition of its supplier recognition awards, held on 13 May 2026 as part of the ongoing development of the Simandou Project iron ore project.
The ceremony brought together senior company executives, government representatives and private sector stakeholders to acknowledge the contribution of suppliers and contractors supporting what remains one of Africa’s largest integrated mining and infrastructure developments. The event also highlighted the growing role of Guinean enterprises within the project’s supply chain as Simandou advances from large-scale construction toward production ramp-up.
Speaking during the event, Aboubacar Koulibaly noted that the project has entered a new phase following the shipment of Guinea’s first Simandou iron ore in December 2025. He emphasized that major infrastructure milestones continue to be achieved across the mine, rail and port components of the development.
According to company figures presented during the ceremony, the mine infrastructure is currently 73% complete, while port construction has reached 75%. The rail spur is already operational, marking significant progress in the delivery of the integrated logistics corridor that underpins the project.
Koulibaly stressed that these achievements were made possible through the performance of contractors and suppliers operating across the project footprint. He described local content as a central pillar of Simandou’s long-term legitimacy and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of developing national industrial capacity alongside mineral production.
The company also highlighted improvements made by Guinean suppliers in workforce training, technical capability, quality management and health and safety standards. These factors are increasingly critical as the project moves toward operational readiness and international performance benchmarks.
Chris Aitchison described Simandou as the largest mining and infrastructure project currently under development in Africa, reiterating the company’s intention to build a partnership-driven model focused on inclusion, integrity and long-term economic transformation.
Aitchison stated that supplier development, entrepreneurship support and capacity building remain strategic priorities for the operation. His remarks reflect the broader industry trend in Guinea toward strengthening domestic participation in mining value chains, particularly in large-scale iron ore and bauxite developments.
Representing the Guinean government, Faya François Bourouno praised the initiative as a strong signal to the national private sector regarding competitiveness, professionalism and operational rigor. He reiterated the government’s commitment to reinforcing local content policies to ensure greater participation of Guinean companies in major mining projects.
The minister emphasized that local content should be viewed not merely as a regulatory obligation, but as a strategic lever for economic diversification, employment generation and skills transfer. His comments align with Guinea’s broader objective of maximizing in-country value creation from its mining sector.
Eight suppliers received awards during the ceremony, recognizing performance across operational excellence, HSE, community engagement and corporate values. Award recipients included BEDROS Company SARL, Aden Services Guinea, NOVA, GPC, Vision Sans Frontière, Société Intellact, WELHY CIS and China Overseas Engineering Group Conakry-SARLU (COVEC).
The supplier recognition initiative underscores the increasing importance of local partnerships in the successful execution of the Simandou project, which is expected to play a transformative role in Guinea’s mining industry, infrastructure development and long-term economic growth.
