The Simandou mountain range in Guinea contains the largest untapped iron ore deposits globally. Despite a history of delays due to political upheaval, the ruling junta aims to open a new mining complex later this year, projected to boost the economy and create jobs. However, concerns regarding transparency, safety, and environmental impact remain, with industry experts questioning the feasibility of the proposed timelines for production.
Deep in southern Guinea, the Simandou mountain range houses the world’s largest untapped iron ore deposits, estimated at 2.8 billion tonnes. The site has a tumultuous history, marked by a significant mining scandal in 2013 related to ownership disputes over development licenses from the 1990s. Multiple proposed production starts have been disrupted by political conflict and license reassignment, causing delays in actual resource extraction.
Guinea’s ruling junta and the new project owners claim significant progress is imminent, with a vast new mining complex projected to open later this year. This initiative is heralded as potentially transformative for Guinea, where mining constitutes 90% of exports. “This mining project must be for Guinea what oil was for the Gulf,” stated Ismaël Nabé, the minister for planning.
Plans for the Simandou site include an extensive railway system, a metallurgical plant, and substantial road construction, amounting to an investment of $20 billion. This development is expected to generate around 60,000 jobs and support education for many citizens, with two-thirds of the population subsisting on less than £2 daily. Promotional videos on the Guinean presidency’s YouTube channel label the megaproject “a bridge to prosperity.”
Industry analysts are optimistic, with some dubbing Simandou a “Pilbara killer,” suggesting it will outpace Australia’s iron production capabilities. American rail technology firm Wabtec has also engaged in a $248 million agreement to provide locomotives for the railway linking the mine to the Atlantic. However, progress has not been consistent, with construction delays raising doubts about the anticipated start date.
Concerns have arisen regarding financing, safety, and environmental impacts associated with the mining activities. The ownership structure became more complicated following a coup in 2021, with various stakeholders involved, including Rio Tinto and a Singapore-based consortium. Civil society activists have raised alarms over a lack of transparency, particularly about financing details. Mamoudou Diallo, an activist, remarked, “There is no transparency in the Simandou project.”
Despite Guinea’s commitment to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) for improved governance, recent contracts concerning Simandou have yet to be disclosed fully. Community conflicts have also arisen, including protests related to recruitment practices, with reports of fatalities among local workers due to construction accidents.
Environmental implications have been disputed, with locals alleging pollution from construction waste while authorities claim lower carbon emissions are anticipated due to the ore’s quality. Bright Simons, vice-president at the Imani Centre for Policy, noted logistical challenges in coordinating two consortiums involved in the project, casting doubts on the anticipated production schedule for 2025. Some observers liken governmental enthusiasm around Simandou to a strategic exercise in political positioning ahead of forthcoming elections, expecting that credible production may be delayed until 2028.
The Simandou mining project in Guinea presents both immense potential and significant challenges. While promising economic benefits, job creation, and infrastructural development, concerns surrounding transparency, safety, and environmental impact persist. Observers remain cautious about the project’s timeline and ultimate viability, linking its progress to complex political dynamics and stakeholder coordination. The future of Guinea’s mining industry hangs in the balance as authorities push for a renewed commitment to the ambitious development of this critical resource.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
