BEIJING: Collaborating with Chinese companies to jointly develop Simandou, the high-grade iron ore deposit in Guinea, Africa, represents a unique opportunity amid increasing demand for higher-grade, lower-impurity iron ore as steelmakers seek to reduce carbon emissions worldwide, says a company executive.

“Our partnership with Chinese companies on the Simandou project, which will become Africa’s largest integrated infrastructure and mining project once completed, is groundbreaking,” said Gerard Rheinberger, managing director of Simandou, Rio Tinto.

“Chinese partners’ diverse involvement in the project has been instrumental, not only as capital investors, but also as providers of high-quality equipment and expertise in infrastructure construction.

“Such a partnership has created a collaborative environment for sharing knowledge, resources and experience. It allows us to leverage each other’s strengths and has fostered a strong foundation for the project’s success,” Rheinberger said.

He said the company is currently collaborating with Chinese partners including Aluminum Corp of China or Chinalco, and China Baowu Steel Group Corp to advance the project and develop the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the export of mined iron ore.

It has also engaged Chinese suppliers and engineering, procurement and construction firms, such as China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd, which is providing critical equipment and services to support the construction.

 - China Daily