Vilvoorde, January 2025 — Komatsu recently announced a significant contract to supply mining machines and services for the Simandou iron ore mine in Guinea. This landmark agreement with SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH), reflects Komatsu's commitment to responsible mining practices, supporting local community development and strengthening economic growth.
Located in the southeast of Guinea, the Simandou mountain range is home to some of the highest-grade iron ore in the world. Once complete, Simandou will be Africa’s largest mine and related infrastructure project – combining an integrated rail and port servicing two independent mining operations.
In partnership with their regional distributor BIA Group, Komatsu will provide 5 large production excavators PC5500-11, 4 production loaders WA1200-6, as well as more than 30 dozers, water trucks, and smaller excavators for site maintenance and support. This machinery package will be complemented by a comprehensive training and upskilling of the local employees, as well as robust parts and maintenance services.
“Komatsu is honored to play a key role in the Simandou project, providing state-of-the-art equipment and services to support its success,” said Tadashi Maeda, CEO and Managing Director from Komatsu Europe. “Through our partnership with BIA Group, we are not only ensuring operational excellence but also investing in the future of Guinea’s communities. By fostering local talent, protecting the environment, and contributing to sustainable development, we are committed to creating value together.”
A key aspect of this agreement is a strong emphasis on the development of the local communities. “As we progress SimFer towards production, supporting local communities through investment, knowledge transfer and direct opportunity will be of critical importance as we consider which partners to select,” said Chris Aitchison, Managing Director at Rio Tinto SimFer. “Our contract with Komatsu — a world leader in the manufacture of HME equipment, and BIA Group a well-established distributor and service provider in Africa — will be invaluable in ensuring that our teams are equipped with the cutting-edge equipment and services to realise the full potential of the Simandou project.”
Komatsu and BIA Group, through their subsidiary in Guinea, will invest a significant portion of their annual spend in initiatives that benefit the local communities. These include
programs aimed at boosting employment prospects for local people, such as targeted training programs to equip local workers with the vocational skills and expertise required for employment on the project. Furthermore, local companies will be given opportunities to provide services as subcontracting partners, contributing to the growth of the local economy. “By ensuring investment in meaningful initiatives that will boost the employment of community members and strengthen local economies, this contract plays a pivotal role in delivering on our commitment to promote long-term development in the communities where we work,” further explains Mr. Aitchison.
With a long-standing presence in Guinea spanning over two decades, BIA Group has established a strong understanding of the local context and built valuable relationships within the country. This deep-rooted presence makes BIA Group a strong partner to effectively contribute to the project's objectives. "We are very honored to be part, together with our partner Komatsu, of the Simandou project,” said Romain Bia, CEO at BIA Group. “BIA is committing to be an active player of the Government’s strategy to build the future of Guinea by investing further into local content, empowering communities, and enhancing skills development. Aligned with this mission, we will ensure the seamless maintenance and optimisation of SimFer’s fleet to support efficient operations.”
By prioritising local development, Komatsu aims to create long-term value for all stakeholders in Guinea.
About SimFer
SimFer S.A. is a joint-venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea and SimFer Jersey Limited which is owned by Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH), a Chinalco-led joint venture of leading Chinese SOEs including Baowu. The company holds the exploration and mining rights to blocks 3 and 4 of the Simandou mountain range, which contains some of the highest-grade iron ore in the world. Once complete, Simandou will be Africa’s largest mine and related infrastructure project – combining an integrated rail and port servicing two independent mining operations
About Komatsu
Komatsu is an industry-leading manufacturer and supplier of equipment, technologies and services for the construction, forklift, mining, industrial and forestry markets. For over a century, Komatsu equipment and services have been used by companies worldwide to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create technology and consumer products. The company’s global service and distributor networks support customer operations, tapping into the power of data and technology to enhance safety and productivity while optimising performance.
