Rio Tinto

What Rio Tinto does

Rio Tinto is a global mining corporation founded in 1873, dual-listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange (ticker RIO), producing iron ore for steel, aluminum for automotive and electronics applications, copper for renewable energy infrastructure, as well as diamonds, titanium, and borates. In Guinea, the company operates through Rio Tinto SimFer, a joint venture structure in which SimFer Jersey Limited holds 85% of SimFer S.A. — owned 53% by Rio Tinto Group and 47% by Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (a Chinalco-led consortium comprising Chinalco 75%, Baowu 20%, CRCC 2.5%, and CHEC 2.5%), with the Government of Guinea holding a direct 15% stake in SimFer S.A. SimFer develops Blocks 3 and 4 of the Simandou project — the world's largest known high-grade, low-impurity iron ore deposit — while the Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) develops Blocks 1 and 2. The Government of Guinea also holds 15% in Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG), the joint venture (42.5% SimFer, 42.5% WCS) that operates a 620 km multi-user railway and the Morebaya mineral port in Forécariah.

The integrated value chain combines open-pit mining, a 70 km rail spur linking SimFer's mine to the TransGuinéen line, the 620 km CTG-operated railway, and the Morebaya port for bulk export. Mining and mineral processing technology centers on high-grade iron ore extraction, rail logistics, and transshipment operations for shallow-water loading. First iron ore shipments reached the port of Dalian in China in March 2026 following the start of operations in November 2025, with the company having mobilized more than 9,400 direct and indirect jobs in Guinea, contracts with MOTA-ENGIL ($300M), Wabtec ($277M for locomotives), Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group ($110M+), and three Guinean transport companies ($120M combined) supporting the buildout. Rio Tinto also maintains community communication programs including the SimFer Kibaro (Konia language) and SimFer Khibari (Soussou language) monthly radio programs.

Revenue is generated primarily through the extraction and sale of high-grade iron ore to global steel manufacturers, with pricing tied to commodity indices (Platts, Metal Bulletin) and graded by iron content and impurity levels. Long-term off-take agreements are concentrated with Chinese steel producers via the CIOH consortium (Chinalco, Baowu) and through Baowu's separate investment in WCS infrastructure, making the steel manufacturing segment — particularly in China — the primary customer base. The high-grade, low-impurity profile of Simandou ore supports direct-reduction steelmaking, a less carbon-intensive production method, providing a differentiated value proposition aligned with steel industry decarbonization. At the parent group level, the company is publicly traded with 10,000+ employees and a diversified commodity portfolio spanning iron ore, aluminum, copper, diamonds, titanium, and borates.

Name

Rio Tinto

Legal name

Rio Tinto SimFer

Website

https://riotintoguinee.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Rio Tinto is a global mining corporation producing iron ore, aluminum, copper, diamonds, titanium, and borates. In Guinea, its SimFer joint venture operates the Simandou high-grade iron ore project with integrated mine, 620 km railway, and Morebaya port for export to global steel manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Conakry

HQ country

Guinea

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Iron Ore Sales: Rio Tinto generates revenue through the extraction and sale of high-grade iron ore to global steel manufacturers. The Simandou project produces iron ore for export to international markets, with first shipments already reaching China. Revenue is generated through long-term off-take agreements with steel producers and spot market sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Rio Tinto extracts and sells industrial minerals and metals globally, including high-grade iron ore (notably from the Simandou project in Guinea), aluminum for automotive and electronics, copper for renewable energy infrastructure, diamonds, titanium, and borates. The company operates vertically integrated mining, processing, rail, and port infrastructure to deliver bulk commodities to global steel manufacturers and industrial customers.

Product overview

Rio Tinto operates the Simandou project in Guinea, the world's largest known high-grade iron ore deposit. The company produces iron ore for steel, aluminium for cars and smartphones, copper for wind turbines, diamonds for responsible sourcing, titanium for household products, and borates for agriculture. The Simandou project includes integrated mining operations (Blocks 3 and 4), a 70 km rail spur connecting to the 620 km TransGuinéen railway operated by CTG, and the Morebaya mineral port for export. The company also operates community communication programs including SimFer Kibaro (Konia language) and SimFer Khibari (Soussou language) radio programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SimFer Kibaro: Monthly information programme in Konia language sharing key project information with local communities through rural radio stations.
• SimFer Khibari

Products and services

• Iron Ore (Simandou) High-grade iron ore extracted from the Simandou mine in Guinea, suitable for conversion into steel via less carbon-intensive direct reduction methods, supporting decarbonisation of steel-dependent industries. Sold to global steel manufacturers.
• Aluminium Aluminium produced for automotive and electronics applications including cars and smartphones. Part of Rio Tinto's diversified metals portfolio sold to industrial customers.
• Copper Copper produced for wind turbines and other renewable energy infrastructure. Sold to industrial customers in the energy sector.
• Diamonds Diamonds that set the standard for responsible sourcing practices. Produced and sold as part of Rio Tinto's mineral portfolio.
• Titanium Titanium produced for household products. Part of Rio Tinto's diversified metals portfolio.
• Borates Borates produced for agricultural applications, supporting crops that feed the world. Part of Rio Tinto's diversified minerals portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• The high-grade Simandou iron ore enables direct reduction methods that significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional blast furnace steelmaking

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered important, major and core.

• AGUIPEimportantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Partnership with Department of Employment, Labor, and Social Protection to promote employment and training in Guinea, strengthening workforce development initiatives.
• AGER (Guinean Rural Electrification Agency)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026Framework MoU signed to strengthen cooperation in providing access to power along the Simandou development corridor, supporting rural electrification.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAGEL)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2025Strategic MoU to boost sustainable agricultural and pastoral development along the Simandou corridor, supporting local food security and rural livelihoods.
• Xuzhou Construction Machinery GroupmajorOthers · 12 August 2024Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group awarded contract over US$110 million for Heavy Mobile Equipment acquisition for the Simandou project.
• Enabel (Belgian Development Agency)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2024MoU signed to support economic development initiatives and reduction of socio-economic impacts in Guinea, aligning development agency resources with project community programs.
• Fondation JamilaimportantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2023Fondation Jamila provides vocational training for 300 women and girls across Guinea (aged 14-34) in areas including agriculture, garment manufacturing, ecological management, and logistics. Six-month comprehensive training program focused on skills relevant to mining sector and emerging industries.
• Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation (MESRSI)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2023MoU to strengthen Guinea's higher education and research ecosystem, supporting academic partnerships and institutional development.
• Africa Transport, AMA and GPCmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 October 2023Three Guinean transport companies awarded combined contracts worth $120 million for road freight movement including specialist and heavy freight over three years. These join 250+ Guinean contractors providing various goods and services to the project.
• Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2023WCS is a consortium between Winning International Group (49.99%), Shandong Weiqiao Group/China Hongqiao Group (49.99%), and United Mining Services (residual). WCS holds Blocks 1 and 2 of Simandou. Rio Tinto SimFer invested to take a 34% stake in WCS companies responsible for constructing rail and port infrastructure. Both parties co-develop the TransGuinéen railway and port under the CTG joint venture.
• CR18majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 September 2023CR18 is the construction partner for the 75 km railway spur between Beyla and Kérouané. Completed construction of four worker camps with capacity for 1,600 people each. Mobilized 820 workers including over 70% Guineans, completed over 66,000 training hours.
• Government of GuineacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2023The Government of Guinea holds 15% stake in SimFer S.A. and 15% in CTG. The government provides strategic oversight through the Simandou Strategic Monitoring Committee and has been instrumental in facilitating project approvals and co-development agreements.
• Wabtec CorporationmajorOthers · 30 July 2023Wabtec received a USD $277 million contract for locomotives for the Simandou railway. Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment and services for the rail industry.
• MOTA-ENGILmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 July 2023MOTA-ENGIL Guinea received a $300 million contract for early works including earthworks for mechanical plant and mine facilities, access roads, haul roads, sedimentation basins, and erosion control measures. Contract emphasizes local content, skills transfer, and Guinean employment.
• Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2022CTG is a joint venture company held by Rio Tinto SimFer and WCS (each 42.5%) and the Government of Guinea (15%) formed to operate the Simandou rail and port infrastructure. CTG will operate the 620 km trans-Guinean railway and Morebaya port, providing multi-use transportation for iron ore export and passenger/goods transport.
• Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIOH is a Chinalco-led consortium comprising Chinalco (75%), Baowu (20%), China Rail Construction Corporation (2.5%), and China Harbour Engineering Company (2.5%). CIOH holds 47% of SimFer Jersey Limited, which owns 85% of SimFer S.A. (Blocks 3 and 4 of Simandou).
• Club des Amis du MondeimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO partner for women's education programs in Guinea, collaborating on the 'Education de la Deuxième Chance pour les Femmes' initiative.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kumba Iron Ore (Anglo American subsidiary): Major South African iron ore producer listed separately. Directly comparable seaborne iron ore competitor serving global steel customers.
• Vale S.A. The world's largest iron ore producer, with major operations in Brazil (Carajás). Direct competitor in seaborne iron ore markets serving the same global steelmaker customer base as SimFer.
• Champion Iron Limited: High-grade iron ore producer (Bloom Lake, Quebec) focused on premium DR-grade concentrate. Highly comparable to SimFer on product positioning, grade strategy, and decarbonization-aligned customer targeting.
• Anglo American plc: Diversified miner with significant iron ore exposure through Kumba Iron Ore (South Africa) and Minas-Rio (Brazil). Comparable as a diversified global miner with premium iron ore assets.
• BHP Group: Major diversified miner with significant iron ore operations in Western Australia (Pilbara). Competes with Rio Tinto in the seaborne iron ore market and shares a similar large-cap diversified mining business model.
• Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America and significant iron ore miner. Comparable as an integrated iron ore mining and steel value chain participant, though primarily US-focused.
• Fortescue Metals Group: Pure-play iron ore producer in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Closely comparable as a focused, high-volume iron ore exporter selling to the same Asian steel customers as SimFer.
• Hancock Prospecting / Roy Hill: Australian iron ore producer (Roy Hill mine) with integrated mine-rail-port operations closely analogous to Simandou's vertically integrated infrastructure model.

Broad incumbents

• Glencore plc: Largest diversified commodity trader and miner with broad exposure across base metals, coal, and iron ore. Comparable as a major diversified mining and trading player in global commodity markets.

Others

• ArcelorMittal: World's largest steelmaker and a major iron ore consumer. Customer-side comparable to SimFer as a primary off-take counterpart in the global steel-iron ore value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL4fbf0nN52ejFS_g00yZGc8uLmTRUHDza
• Facebookfacebook.com/hashtag/MySimandouStory
• Xx.com/riotintosimfer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/undefined

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rio Tinto