Rio Tinto produces iron ore for steel, aluminium for cars and smart phones, copper for wind turbines, diamonds that set the standard for responsible sourcing, titanium for household products, and borates for crops that feed the world.
Visit About Rio Tinto
Simandou project

In close and transparent collaboration with our partners, stakeholders and local communities, Rio Tinto will deliver on the promise of the Simandou project to international standards of operational health and safety, governance, social wellbeing, and environmental stewardship.
Visit Simandou project
Simandou project
Communities

Mining and processing, by its very nature, can have disruptive impacts on the environment, including on local communities. At the same time, mining also delivers significant economic and social benefits to communities, including employment, local business development, tax and royalty streams, as well as education and health programmes. Our goal is always to maximise these benefits and minimise any disruptive impacts as much as possible.
Visit Communities
Communities
Environment

Producing the materials the world needs means we have an impact on the environment. We work in remote locations and sensitive environments, where our activities have the potential to cause harm through pollution or land disturbance.
Visit Environment
Environment
Media

Visit Media
Media
The Simandou project is imminently due to become the world’s largest greenfield mining project and the largest ever undertaken on the African continent. This once-in-a-generation megaproject will not only place Guinea on the world stage as a top global producer of high-quality, low impurity iron ore, it will also set a new benchmark for large scale project development throughout the region.
Visit Opportunity For People

Select your location

Guinea

FRENCH

Global

English

Canada

English

French

Mongolia

English

Mongolian

Japan

Japanese

Serbia

English

Srpski Српски

SimFer award contract to Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group for the acquisition of Heavy Mobile Equipment

August 12, 2024

Conakry, Republic of Guinea ─ SimFer, the joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH), hosted a signing ceremony to mark the award of a contracts of over US$110 million value for the acquisition of heavy mobile equipment (HME), parts and associated maintenance services to Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG).

The contract is critical to SimFer’s production capabilities and present substantial opportunities for local community advancement. XCMG has pledged to make considerable investments aimed at bolstering community development initiatives, enriching training programs, expanding local procurement, and increasing employment prospects.

XCMG will supply HME for use at the SimFer mine sites. Combined, the entities will supply approximately 34 x 230t trucks and 6 x graders for the project. The contract also includes the provision of full maintenance services, and vendor managed spare parts.

Chris Aitchison, Managing Director of SimFer said “Following a competitive tender process, we are pleased to award the HME contract to internationally renowned XCMG. This contract—with its robust provisions for community development and technical training—reflects our project partners’ commitments to maximising the benefits of the Simandou project through local content, prioritisation of local employment and upskilling, and investment in vocational and technical skills.”

As part of the contract, XCMG has committed to investing heavily into local community programs and environmental initiatives. In addition, XCMG will undertake construction of a major component rebuild centre, which will allow for major components to be re-built while fostering technical training opportunities. XCMG have also committed to making >75% of purchases from local suppliers, offering nearly 50 annual scholarships to primary and secondary school students.

“The Simandou project can be a key driver of growth in Guinea – catalysing a new wave of investment, building the country’s entrepreneurial fabric and supporting development across the country. Through the promotion of local content and investment in local communities—both of which are embedded in this contract award—we can unlock the project’s full transformative potential.” said Aboubacar Koulibaly, Head of Rio Tinto Guinée.

“We are proud to participate in this extraordinary project, which belongs to the people of Guinea and future generations” he added.