Sign-ups are now open for the Simandou Mining Summit, hosted by Guinea’s government to further the Simandou 2040 initiative and achieve economic sovereignty through mining.
Within the framework of the Simandou 2040 Programme, the mining industry will act as the engine of economic sovereignty.”— Djiba Diakité, Minister-Director of the Cabinet of the Presidency of GuineaCONAKRY, GUINEA, August 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The first-ever Simandou Mining Summit has opened registration, organised by the Government of Guinea, and will gather governments, investors, mining firms, financial organisations, and industry leaders to contribute to Guinea’s economic shift.
Held in Conakry from 11 to 14 November 2026, the Summit will help drive the execution of the Simandou 2040 Programme, bringing together leaders from the public and private sectors who are responsible for realising Guinea’s long-term development goals.
Under the tagline “Mining as a Catalyst for Economic Sovereigntyˮ, the Summit highlights Guinea’s goal of moving from being a raw-material exporter to a hub for industrialisation, infrastructure growth, local value addition, and sustainable investment. It will link policy with capital, uniting decision-makers capable of converting national ambition into partnerships and project delivery.
Mining as a Catalyst for Economic Sovereignty
"The Simandou mega-project represents a pivotal moment in the scope and ambition of Guinea’s development, guided by the President of the Republic, H.E. Mamadi Doumbouya,ˮ stated Djiba Diakité, Minister-Director of the Cabinet of the Presidency of Guinea and Chair of the Simandou Strategic Committee.
"For many years, Guinea has been known for the vastness of its mineral wealth. Now we aim to be recognised for what we create using those resources. Through the Simandou 2040 Programme, the mining sector will drive our economic sovereignty, delivering high-quality human capital, services, infrastructure, industries, skilled jobs, and lasting opportunities for current and future Guineans."
The Simandou 2040 Programme includes 122 strategic projects spanning mining, transport, energy, manufacturing, logistics, technology, education, agriculture, and workforce development. At its core lies the Simandou project, backed by the TransGuinéen railway and deep-water port infrastructure, laying the groundwork for industrial growth and economic diversification.
From mineral wealth to national value
Guinea possesses some of the globe’s largest deposits of iron ore and bauxite, along with substantial gold and diamond resources. Through Simandou 2040, the government aims to turn these resources into a basis for infrastructure, industrial expansion, local enterprise, and skilled employment.
"Guinea’s resources must form the bedrock of a varied, productive, and sustainable economy," affirmed Bouna Sylla, Minister of Mines and Geology.
"Our goal is to transform mineral wealth into infrastructure, industrial capability, jobs, skills, and opportunities for Guinean enterprises. Guinea is positioning itself as a long-term destination for responsible investment, not merely as a source of raw materials. His Excellency Mamadi Doumbouya, President of the Republic, envisions the in-country processing of mining products to build stronger value chains."
Four days focused on investment and delivery
The four-day agenda will include ministerial dialogue, executive panels, investor forums, technical sessions, project showcases, and structured business meetings.
Anticipated attendance includes more than 1,000 senior delegates, 75 international speakers, and over 3,000 pre-scheduled business meetings. Topics will cover industrialisation, infrastructure, global mineral markets, investment and finance, local content, workforce development, downstream processing, technology, innovation, and environmental and social governance (ESG).
The Summit begins on 11 November with an invitation-only ceremony on Kassa Island, a former bauxite mining site now undergoing redevelopment, symbolising Guinea’s shift from extraction to rehabilitation and industrial progress.
On 12 and 13 November at the Radisson Blu, the programme includes ministerial dialogues, executive roundtables, investor forums, technical sessions, and business meetings. The final day offers an invitation-only chance to tour mining infrastructure assets, including facilities linked to Compagnie du TransGuinéen.
Direct access to Guinea's investment ecosystem
Tailored for senior decision-makers in government, industry, and finance, the Summit will provide entry to Guinea’s public institutions, project developers, and mining operators, while highlighting opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, energy, construction, manufacturing, services, and technology.
"Guinea is open for business," declared Namory Camara, Chief Executive Officer of the Guinea Development Board (GDB). "Our focus is to offer investors greater clarity, stronger institutional backing, and a clear route from initial contact to successful project execution."
Industry supporting Guinea's transformation
The Summit is backed by Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée and Nimba Mining Company, founding partners of the Simandou Mining Summit, underscoring their dedication to responsible development and long-term investment.
“The Simandou Mining Summit offers a strategic venue to reinforce investment, industrial partnerships, and the responsible advancement of Guinea’s mining sector,ˮ said Karifa Condé, Managing Director of Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG). “With over fifty years of operational track record and a deep-rooted presence in the country, CBG is honoured to support this initiative, which will help highlight Guinea’s potential and foster partnerships that generate value for our economy. We invite investors and industry stakeholders to join this momentum.ˮ
“Nimba Mining Company is pleased to serve as a founding partner of the Simandou Mining Summit, an event that captures Guinea’s ambition to sustainably turn its natural resources into lasting value for the nation,ˮ said Patrice LʼHuillier, chief executive officer of Nimba Mining Company (NMC). “As a national mining firm, NMC is dedicated to fully engaging in this drive by combining operational excellence, the growth of Guinean expertise, stronger local content, and preparations for industrial processing. The Summit will offer an essential platform to bring together the partners, know-how, and capital needed to execute transformative projects for Guinea.ˮ
The Simandou Mining Summit is delivered by Africa Practice and Fastmarkets.
"Africa Practice has worked alongside the Government of Guinea to help turn the vision of Simandou 2040 into a platform the world can directly engage with," said Marcus Courage, CEO of Africa Practice. "Our function is to link international investors and industry leaders with the institutions driving Guinea’s transformation on the ground — the Summit is where that connection becomes action."
Raju Daswani, CEO of Fastmarkets, added: "Fastmarkets is delighted to collaborate with the Government of Guinea on this landmark event. As the global price reporting agency and commodity market intelligence provider, transparent markets, reliable information, and strong international alliances are critical to attracting long-term investment. The Simandou Mining Summit will create a forum where governments, investors, and industry can develop the relationships needed to support Guinea’s economic transformation."
Alexandria Monk
Fastmarkets Simandou Mining Summit
alexandria.monk@fastmarkets.com
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