Keypoints:
- Moribaya port to ship 120 m tonnes yearly
- Over 80 percent of workforce is Guinean
- First ore shipment planned for November 2025
GUINEA’S vast Simandou iron-ore venture has reached a critical stage as developer SimFer confirmed that its Moribaya mining port is on track to ship its first cargoes in November.
At a press briefing held at the company’s site on September 12, managing director Chris Aitchison said the port will ultimately move as much as 120 million tonnes of ore a year once construction is complete.
‘The total capacity of the port will reach 120 million tonnes once the work is finished,’ Aitchison told reporters. ‘Our partners WCS and Baowu are responsible for the first 60 million tonnes, while SimFer will deliver the second half. The completed facility will then be handed over to the Compagnie du Terminal de Guinée (CTG) to operate.’
Local workforce drives construction
Aitchison underlined that Guinean workers are central to the project’s build-out. ‘More than 80 percent of our workforce is Guinean, including many in management and decision-making roles,’ he said, noting that the proportion is expected to rise as operations expand.
Community dialogue remains key
The managing director also emphasised engagement with communities along the route. ‘We need to ensure that the populations concerned are fully satisfied,’ he said. ‘The risks increase as work progresses, but our relations are continually improving. We have an open dialogue and we know how to listen when we need to correct certain things.’
Major milestone for Guinea’s mining sector
The Simandou range, long regarded as one of the world’s richest untapped iron-ore deposits, has been under development for years. SimFer’s announcement signals that the project is moving from construction to production, a step analysts say could reshape Guinea’s economy and bolster its position in global iron-ore supply.
