Unveiling a Milestone in Africa’s Mining Renaissance

On May 26, 2025, Wabtec Corporation and Rio Tinto SimFer marked a historic milestone in the world of industrial logistics and African infrastructure by unveiling the first of several ES43ACi Evolution Series locomotives destined for Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project. The ceremony, held at Wabtec’s facility in Marhowra, India, brought together key figures from the governments of Guinea, India, and the United States, as well as representatives from Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings, the project’s strategic partners.

The locomotive, painted in a vibrant blue and turquoise livery, is set to operate on the TransGuinéen Railway, a transformative 600-km rail line that will transport high-grade iron ore from the mountainous Simandou region in southeastern Guinea to a port on the Atlantic coast. The event underscored the project's importance not only to the mining sector but to Guinea’s national development.

The Simandou Project: Africa’s Iron Ore Juggernaut

Simandou is home to one of the world’s largest untapped deposits of high-grade iron ore, with reserves estimated at 1.5 billion metric tons. The region has long been eyed by global miners, but political instability and infrastructure challenges delayed its exploitation. That is changing now. With an estimated investment of $15 billion, the Simandou project includes not only mining operations but the creation of the TransGuinéen Railway and a deep-water port.

The railway is the backbone of the project, designed to transport up to 100 million metric tons of iron ore annually. Once operational, it will serve as Guinea’s logistical lifeline, connecting the hinterland to international markets and unlocking new trade routes across West Africa.

Wabtec’s Tailor-Made Locomotive for West Africa

The locomotive unveiled is the ES43ACi, a 4,500 HP diesel-electric machine designed for extreme conditions. Developed by Wabtec in the United States and assembled in India, it offers fuel efficiency, low emissions, and robust performance under high temperatures and heavy haul conditions. These features are particularly critical for the Simandou route, which includes rugged terrain, variable weather, and long distances.

Wabtec Regional Vice President Mpilo Dlamini praised the collaboration, stating, “This unveiling is a tribute to a global team that designed and built a locomotive specifically tailored for the Simandou project. These locomotives will efficiently facilitate the export of the mine’s critical minerals while contributing to economic development in Guinea.”

A Multi-National Coalition with Transformative Potential

The SimFer joint venture, comprising Rio Tinto, CIOH, and the Guinean government, reflects a powerful mix of state interest and private sector expertise. Djiba Diakite, Chair of Guinea’s Strategic Committee for the Simandou project, highlighted the importance of local engagement during the event. He was joined by Bouna Sylla, the Minister of Mines and Geology, as well as members of the Simandou oversight committee.

The railway operator, La Compagnie de TransGuinéen, is a special-purpose entity created to manage infrastructure. The project is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs in construction, maintenance, and logistics, while also improving access to power, roads, and healthcare for remote communities.

Overcoming Environmental & Logistical Hurdles

Despite the celebratory tone, the Simandou project has had its challenges. Environmental groups have raised concerns about biodiversity loss, deforestation, and community displacement. The joint venture partners have committed to robust Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, promising measures to minimize harm and maximize community benefit.

The 600-km route crosses multiple ecosystems, including forests and river valleys, necessitating sustainable engineering and careful stakeholder management. To ensure long-term viability, the railway includes plans for electrification and integration with renewable energy infrastructure in future phases.

Eyes on the Future: What Lies Ahead

The unveiling of the first SimFer locomotive is symbolic, but it’s also operational. The locomotive will soon be shipped to Guinea for trial runs on segments of the TransGuinéen Railway under construction. By the end of 2025, project partners aim to complete major railway segments and begin transporting limited quantities of iron ore.

Over the next decade, the Simandou project is projected to generate over $5 billion annually in export revenue for Guinea, contributing an estimated 7% to national GDP. With construction accelerating, the world will be watching how this monumental African infrastructure project delivers on its vast potential.

Key Takeaways

• Wabtec and Rio Tinto SimFer unveiled the first custom-built ES43ACi locomotive for Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project, assembled in India.

• The locomotive will operate on the 600-km TransGuinéen Railway, essential for transporting 1.5 billion metric tons of high-grade iron ore to global markets.

• The $15 billion infrastructure project is expected to boost Guinea’s GDP by 7%, create thousands of jobs, also transform the region into a key global supplier of critical minerals.