Mike Apfel

Senior Manager, Technical & Strategy - Simandou Project, Rio Tinto

Mike Apfel is a mining professional with over 30 years’ experience across open pit and underground operations, supported by a mining engineering background and an MBA. Since joining Rio Tinto in 2006, he has held senior technical and operational roles, and is currently Senior Manager Technical & Strategy for the Simandou project, leading Technical Services and Resource Evaluation teams. His career spans operational management, mine planning, technical services, consulting, and technology deployment, including autonomous haulage implementation. Mike has worked across major gold and iron ore operations and now resides in the United Kingdom.

Presentation title

Simandou - The largest mining and infrastructure project in Africa

Presentation synopsis

The Simandou Iron Ore Project represents one of the largest and most complex mining and infrastructure developments currently underway globally. Hosting world-class iron ore resources, Simandou has the potential to position Guinea as a leading exporter of high-grade iron ore and, once fully ramped up, the world’s third-largest supplier to the seaborne market. The project could also support the growing demand for low-impurity iron ore for green steelmaking.

The project scope extends well beyond mine development, encompassing the construction of more than 600 km of new rail and port infrastructure linking the Simandou Range in southeastern Guinea to the Atlantic coast. While mine development is being undertaken independently by SimFer and Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), the rail and port infrastructure is being co-developed through a joint venture between these Industrial Partners and the Government of Guinea.

The SimFer mine is planned to ramp up to a production capacity of 60 Mtpa, delivering iron ore with an average grade exceeding 65% Fe. The SimFer concession includes the Pic de Fon and Ouéléba deposits, which comprise hypogene and supergene-enriched itabirite-hosted iron formations, presenting both exceptional resource quality and technical challenges.

This paper will discuss the geological, environmental, and operational challenges associated with developing a large-scale open pit operation in steep terrain with high annual rainfall, sensitive biodiversity, and critical water resources. It will also highlight how early engagement with stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, and subject-matter experts has been integrated into project planning to support responsible, long-term development.