Contract Worker Dies at Rio Tinto’s Simandou Iron Ore Mine; Operations Suspended

A contract worker has died following an incident at the SimFer mine, part of Rio Tinto’s sprawling Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, the company confirmed on Sunday. The fatality occurred at the site on Saturday, prompting Rio Tinto to suspend work immediately as an investigation begins.

Rio Tinto’s chief executive, Simon Trott, said he will travel to Guinea this week as crews and authorities work to understand the circumstances of the accident. The company emphasized that ensuring safety for all personnel remains its top priority and pledged support to colleagues and families affected by the tragedy.

The Simandou project, one of the world’s largest iron ore developments, has faced operational and safety challenges in recent years. In a statement, Rio Tinto reiterated its commitment to rigorous safety practices and cooperation with local authorities to prevent future incidents.