SimFer to Begin Iron Ore Shipments from Simandou in November 2025

SimFer Advances Toward First Iron Ore Export from Simandou

SimFer, the joint venture between Rio Tinto, Chalco Iron Ore Holdings, and the Guinean government, has confirmed the first shipment of iron ore from the Simandou project will take place in November 2025. Despite a challenging rainy season and a temporary operational halt in August following a fatal accident, the project remains on schedule.

The venture reported strong third-quarter progress, including the completion of a 72-kilometer railway spur, rapid development at the export port site, and continued infrastructure work. Rio Tinto had already indicated in July that the first shipment, originally scheduled for later, would be advanced to November. The company expects to export 0.5–1 million tons from SimFer before the end of 2025.

SimFer holds the mining rights to blocks 3 and 4 in southern Simandou, while Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) controls blocks 1 and 2 in the north. The iron ore will initially be exported via the WCS port, enabling early shipments while SimFer finalizes its own logistics capacity.

Simandou to Add 60M Tons of Iron Ore Per Year

At full production, Simandou will contribute up to 60 million tons of iron ore annually to the global market. SimFer’s share accounts for 27 million tons, reinforcing its position as a critical supplier in the seaborne iron ore trade. According to Rio Tinto, the additional supply will represent about 6% of global seaborne iron ore trade, a volume the market is well-positioned to absorb.

Despite the brief disruption in August, the latest updates confirm that ramp-up plans remain intact. SimFer aims to achieve full production within 30 months of initial shipment. The rapid development underscores Guinea’s emerging role as a major exporter of high-grade iron ore, offering an alternative to traditional suppliers such as Australia and Brazil.

Meanwhile, the successful coordination between Rio Tinto, Chalco, and the Guinean government demonstrates increasing cooperation between Western and Chinese interests in strategic mining projects.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The Simandou iron ore project is quickly becoming a geopolitical and supply chain pivot point in global mining. As iron ore demand stabilizes in China and diversification from existing supply hubs becomes a strategic priority, Guinea’s emergence is timely. Rio Tinto and Chalco’s joint role highlights a rare alignment of Western and Chinese mining interests. If SimFer maintains its current pace, the Simandou project will significantly reshape seaborne iron ore dynamics by 2028. Market participants should prepare for price impacts, particularly in medium-grade ores, as high-grade Simandou ore hits the global market.