Simandou iron ore has begun flowing from Guinea to China, opening one of the world's largest mines and loosening Australia's grip on the trade.
GUINEA · MARKETS
Key Facts
—First shipment: The bulk carrier Winning Youth left Guinea on 2 December 2025, and the first ore reached China in January 2026.
—The owners: Two ventures run the mine: Simfer, led by Rio Tinto with China’s Chinalco, and the Chinese-dominated Winning Consortium Simandou.
—This year’s output: Simfer expects 5 to 10 million tonnes in 2026; exports reached about 2.2 million tonnes in May, up from 1.3 million in April.
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