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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.
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Aboubacar Koulibaly appointed as Head of Rio Tinto Guinea

July 22, 2024

Conakry, Republic of Guinea ─ Rio Tinto has appointed Aboubacar Koulibaly as Head of Rio Tinto Guinée, effective from today. Mr. Koulibaly joins the Senior Leadership Team at a key moment as the Simandou project—Africa’s largest mining and related infrastructure project—accelerates toward operations. Under his leadership, Rio Tinto will continue to realise Simandou sustainably and responsibly – with a focus on close collaboration with our partners, driving investment, and promoting economic development across Guinea.

A Guinean national, Mr. Koulibaly has more than two decades of experience working across Africa and in the United States for prominent international organisations and within the public sector. His experience includes roles at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), for which he served as Country Director in the Central African Republic and in Mali and oversaw UNDP operations in 46 countries. Prior to joining UNDP, Mr. Koulibaly held senior positions within the Guinean public sector, including as Minister of Economic and Financial Control. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from France’s École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) and has participated in executive education programs at Duke, UNC at Chapel Hill, and Harvard University.

He brings impressive expertise in development planning, programme design, partnership building, resource mobilization and strategic leadership.

With Mr. Koulibaly in place, the acting Head of Rio Tinto Guinée, Samuel Gahigi, will return to his role as Head of External Affairs for Rio Tinto in Africa.

Gerard Rheinberger, Managing Director of the Simandou project, said:

“We are privileged to have Aboubacar Koulibaly joining Rio Tinto and leading our world-class organisation in Guinea. Mr Koulibaly’s a wealth of experience, particularly in managing and implementing sustainable development and economic growth projects across Africa alongside his in-depth of understanding of Guinea and his work in the country’s public sector, make him the right profile to fill the position.”

Mr. Koulibaly joins the Simandou project at an important juncture – we continue to make progress against our ambitious construction timeline, including advancing our development of critical infrastructure across Guinea. Our commitment to realising this project to the benefit of Guinea remains steadfast. We now have a workforce of more than 8,800, of which more than 80% are Guineans. In 2024 alone, we have spent more than $400m in Guinea in local content procurement, supporting the development of small and medium size enterprises.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Samuel Gahigi for his leadership and unwavering commitment to the project, which has propelled us to the advanced position we are in today. I wish him the best as he returns to his important role as Rio Tinto’s Head of External Affairs for Africa.”

Aboubacar Koulibaly, Managing Director of Rio Tinto Guinea, said:

“Simandou represents a unique opportunity – with potential to transform Guinea and usher in a brighter future for our people. I am honoured to be taking on the role of Head of Rio Tinto Guinea, collaborating closely with our partners on this remarkable project and working to realise its full potential.”