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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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SimFer completes defensive training for 200 community drivers

August 3, 2026

Initiative reinforces road safety culture and helps build safer communities along the Simandou corridor

Conakry, Republic of Guinea – SimFer, the joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and the Chinalco-led CIOH consortium, has successfully completed defensive driving training for 200 drivers from the prefectures of Beyla, Macenta, Kérouané and Forécariah.

An instructor shows drivers how to inspect a vehicle

The programme combined theoretical and practical instruction to equip participants with skills and knowledge needed to anticipate road hazards, manage driving risks and comply with traffic regulations. Designed to promote safer driving behaviours, the training aims to help reduce road accidents and strengthen road safety awareness in communities located along the Simandou corridor.

The initiative forms part of a broader road safety programme being implemented by Rio Tinto SimFer and its partners to strengthen community safety and support sustainable development in areas affected by project-related activities and growing traffic volumes.

In May 2025, Rio Tinto SimFer and its partners at La Compagnie du TransGuinéen, with the support of the NGO Club des Amis du Monde, launched a large-scale road safety awareness campaign across the Simandou corridor and on major road networks throughout Guinea. The campaign included educational activities in schools, engagement with community and local leaders, as well as technical road safety assessments conducted with the support of experts from the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), a globally recognised organisation dedicated to eliminating high-risk roads and saving lives through evidence-based infrastructure safety assessments.

Tanja Rasmussen, General Manager, Communities and Social Performance at SimFer, said: “The health, safety and well-being of communities are central to everything we do. Through this programme, we are helping drivers strengthen the skills and behaviours that contribute to safer roads for everyone. By working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders, we are supporting a culture of prevention and shared responsibility that can deliver lasting benefits for future generations.”

Road safety remains a key priority for Rio Tinto SimFer. Through awareness raising, infrastructure assessments, community engagement and capacity-building initiatives, the company is committed to identifying, preventing and reducing road-related risks while supporting practical solutions that improve the safety and well-being of communities living alongside its operations.

A safety check demonstration during the training

Technical inspection of a vehicle with participants