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After decades of setbacks, Guinea’s $23 billion Simandou project is finally underway—poised to make the nation Africa’s second-largest mineral exporter after South Africa. Once mired in political turmoil and corporate disputes, the venture is now being revived with major Chinese investment as well as a minority stake by Rio Tinto, a Western company. The project, which seeks to unlock the world’s largest untapped iron ore deposit, includes a 600-kilometer railway and deep-water port, aiming to produce up to 100 million tons of high-grade ore annually. Beyond transforming Guinea’s mining landscape, Simandou could boost GDP by 25%, generate billions in revenue, and create thousands of jobs. Yet, as optimism rises, concerns over environmental impact and equitable wealth distribution remain.
Business Insider Africa