Three foreign workers lost their lives in a site accident at the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, co-developer Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) announced on Thursday. The incident occurred at a WCS work site in Kerouane province, prompting the Chinese-controlled company to suspend all operations and launch a comprehensive safety review. Simandou, one of the world’s largest untapped iron ore deposits, is being jointly developed by WCS and Rio Tinto under strict government oversight, with developers required to submit monthly progress reports.
The project aims to meet a November deadline for its first exports, with authorities warning that any delays will attract financial penalties. Officials from the Guinean government have yet to comment on the accident. Simandou is predominantly controlled by Chinese firms, including Baosteel, which hold a 75% stake, while Rio Tinto controls the remaining 25%. WCS stated that it is supporting the victims’ families and will resume operations only after ensuring full compliance with safety standards.