SimFer reports major milestones at Simandou, targets 2028 capacity goal
2026-06-12 11:15:18 [Print]
SimFer-a joint venture between Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, the Guinean government, and the Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH) consortium led by Chinalco-has reported continued progress at the Simandou iron ore project. Key achievements include the shipment of 600,000 metric tons of iron ore during the first quarter of 2026 and the completion of several major infrastructure milestones.
The company stated that ore is currently being transported from the SimFer mine via a dedicated rail spur to the main railway network, and then shipped to international customers through the Winning Consortium Simandou port. This, according to SimFer, reflects the project's growing operational maturity.
At the end of March 2026, construction of the mine was approximately 74 percent complete. SimFer noted that bulk earthworks and permanent processing facilities continue to advance in line with project schedules, while iron ore is being crushed and stockpiled as part of ramp-up activities.
Meanwhile, the SimFer port reached 78 percent completion by the end of the first quarter, with commissioning currently expected in the first quarter of 2027.
SimFer reiterated that the project remains on track to achieve its planned annual production capacity of 60 million metric tons of iron ore in the second half of 2028.
The Simandou development is widely regarded as one of the world's largest undeveloped high-grade iron ore projects and represents one of the largest mining investments currently underway in Africa.
The company stated that ore is currently being transported from the SimFer mine via a dedicated rail spur to the main railway network, and then shipped to international customers through the Winning Consortium Simandou port. This, according to SimFer, reflects the project's growing operational maturity.
At the end of March 2026, construction of the mine was approximately 74 percent complete. SimFer noted that bulk earthworks and permanent processing facilities continue to advance in line with project schedules, while iron ore is being crushed and stockpiled as part of ramp-up activities.
Meanwhile, the SimFer port reached 78 percent completion by the end of the first quarter, with commissioning currently expected in the first quarter of 2027.
SimFer reiterated that the project remains on track to achieve its planned annual production capacity of 60 million metric tons of iron ore in the second half of 2028.
The Simandou development is widely regarded as one of the world's largest undeveloped high-grade iron ore projects and represents one of the largest mining investments currently underway in Africa.
