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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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Rio Tinto SimFer holds Supplier Days in Beyla to meet future Simandou project partners

December 5, 2023

Beyla, Republic of Guinea ─ Rio Tinto SimFer held its Supplier Days in Beyla on Monday December 4 and Tuesday December 5, to offer local companies the opportunity to meet representatives of its Procurement department as well as those of its main construction partners. The event attracted more than 200 guests, the majority of whom were local contractors keen to expand their businesses by bidding for Simandou-related contracts.

The theme of the event, “Supporting local business development together to stimulate sustainable economic growth in Beyla”, was reflected in the 30 or so speeches, presentations, training sessions and debates attended not only by Rio Tinto SimFer representatives, but also by the Prefect of Beyla Colonel Ibrahima Soulé Camara, the Mayor of Beyla Djiba Donzo, the Beyla Entrepreneurs’ Union, several banks and financial partners, as well as UN agencies such as UNICEF and WFP, and the Guinean Chamber of Commerce.

During these two days, Rio Tinto SimFer teams presented in detail the procedures and standards applied to subcontracting and the granting of contracts. Several experts also detailed the financing and capacity-building services offered to local contractors to enable them to respond effectively to calls for bids and meet Rio Tinto SimFer’s standards for any contract related to the Simandou project.

Derrick Hansen, General Manager of Procurement and Logistics at Rio Tinto SimFer, declares: “We are grateful to all those who participated in our Supplier Days. The large number of contractors present reflects the strong links we are building with local communities and businesses. For us, compliance with international standards and a competitive offer are paramount. The Simandou project represents a real transformation for Guinean small and medium-sized enterprises, and we are determined to actively support entrepreneurs who wish to develop their businesses and seize emerging opportunities.”

In 2023, Rio Tinto SimFer and its construction partners accelerated operations at the Simandou project, generating exponential growth in local spending across a wide range of sectors (from catering and transport to sanitation and the manufacture of personal protection equipment). The group now has almost 300 partners in Guinea, and has spent $120 million working with predominantly Guinean-owned suppliers.