The first high-grade iron ore from the Simandou blocks 3 and 4 mines in Guinea arrived at Rizhao Port in East China's Shandong Province on January 21, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of Rio Tinto

The first shipment of high-grade iron ore from the Simandou block 3 and 4 mines in Guinea arrived at Rizhao Port in East China's Shandong Province on Wednesday, after the shipment departed Moribaya port in early December, according to a press release that Rio Tinto sent to the Global Times on Wednesday.

The arrival of its first shipment in China is of significant importance for improving the structure of China's steel industry chain, a Chinese expert said, noting that the Simandou iron ore project has sent positive signals from the perspectives of industrial chain security and national energy and resource security.

According to SimFer, the joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH) consortium led by Chinalco, this marks SimFer's first delivery of high-grade iron ore to China - the world's largest steel producer - supporting the industry's transition to lower-emissions steelmaking.

The ore will be processed at the tertiary crushing facilities before being sold in the market. Rio Tinto said that the localized process is made possible through an industry-first collaboration model with Chinese ports and relevant authorities, boosting efficiency and competitiveness. Through this innovation and strong partnerships, SimFer is building long-term capabilities and laying the groundwork for the future success of the Simandou project and beyond, said the company.

This marked the ship's second unloading at a Chinese port. Before arriving at Rizhao Port, the vessel - carrying nearly 200,000 tons of Simandou iron ore - first unloaded at China Baowu's Majishan Port in Shengsi, East China's Zhejiang Province, on January 17, the Global Times learned. 

Located in the southeastern region of Guinea, Simandou is home to one of the world's largest high-grade iron ore deposits. In November, the project partners celebrated the start of operations across the mine, rail and port infrastructure in Guinea. Stockpiles at the SimFer mine gate continue to build as the project advances.

Chinese companies have played a crucial role in developing the infrastructure required for the Simandou project, including ports and railways. 

"We are encouraged to see the first shipment of Simandou iron ore arrive at a Chinese port. Rio Tinto's long-standing partnership with Chinese stakeholders is crucial to the successful delivery of the Simandou project," said Frank Xu, Rio Tinto China CEO via the press release sent to the Global Times.

He noted that "Simandou's high-grade iron ore will not only contribute to the high-quality development of China's steel industry, but also demonstrate the powerful outcomes that can be achieved through deep, trusted collaboration."

The arrival of the first shipment in China is of significant importance for improving the structure of the country's steel industry chain, and as a source of high-grade iron ore, the Simandou project also helps optimize the global iron ore supply structure, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Song said that the entry of high-grade iron ore into the Chinese market is conducive to promoting the steel sector's green and low-carbon transition, while enhancing the integrity, stability and supply security of the industrial chain and strengthening its overall resilience.

From the perspective of resource security, Song noted that given China's relatively high dependence on imported iron ore, the Simandou project helps diversify import sources and strengthens the country's capacity to cope with potential fluctuations in international commodity markets and geopolitical risks.

Meanwhile, the China-Africa cooperation model embodied in the Simandou project has demonstrative value, with relevant experience holding the potential for broader application and setting an example for similar cooperation in the future, the expert added.