Investment sought for Simandou

摘要

Rio Tinto is holding talks with potential investors in China and the Middle East regarding the development of the Simandou iron ore reserves and associated railway and port in Guinea. The project has been held up for years because of political instability in the country and disagreements over the validity of various concessions signed by different governments. Total development costs are now put at a massive US$18B, with US$10B dedicated to the mine and the rest to transport and other ancillary costs. Middle Eastern and Asian sovereign wealth funds are believed to be likely suitors.