Sign-ups are now being accepted for the Simandou Mining Summit, hosted by Guinea’s government to push forward the Simandou 2040 vision and strengthen economic independence through mining.
Under the Simandou 2040 Programme, the mining industry will become the engine for achieving economic sovereignty.”— Djiba Diakité, Minister-Director of the Cabinet of the Presidency of GuineaCONAKRY, GUINEA, August 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Registration has officially opened for the first Simandou Mining Summit, an event organised by Guinea’s government that will gather officials, investors, mining firms, financial institutions, and industrial leaders to help drive the country’s economic overhaul.
Scheduled for 11–14 November 2026 in Conakry, the Summit is designed to advance the Simandou 2040 Programme by assembling leaders from both public and private sectors who are tasked with realising Guinea’s long-term development goals.
Operating under the banner “Mining as a Catalyst for Economic Sovereigntyˮ, the Summit highlights Guinea’s goal of shifting from being merely a raw-material exporter to becoming a hub for industrialisation, infrastructure, local value addition, and sustainable investment. It aims to bridge policy and capital, uniting decision-makers capable of turning national aspirations into concrete partnerships and project execution.
Mining as a Catalyst for Economic Sovereignty
“The Simandou mega-project represents a pivotal moment in the scope and ambition of Guinea’s development, steered by President 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 decades, Guinea has been known for the vastness of its mineral wealth. Our aim now is to be known for what we create using those resources. Under the Simandou 2040 Programme, the mining sector will act as the catalyst for our economic sovereignty, producing high-quality human capital, services, infrastructure, industries, skilled employment, and lasting opportunities that will serve Guineans today and in the future.”
The Simandou 2040 Programme includes 122 strategic projects spanning mining, transport, energy, manufacturing, logistics, technology, education, agriculture, and workforce development. Central to it is the Simandou project, underpinned by the TransGuinéen railway and deep-water port infrastructure, which together lay the groundwork for industrial growth and economic diversification.
From mineral wealth to national value
Guinea possesses some of the world’s largest iron ore and bauxite deposits, along with substantial gold and diamond reserves. Through Simandou 2040, the government intends to turn these resources into a base for infrastructure, industrial expansion, local enterprise, and skilled employment.
“Guinea’s resources must serve as the bedrock of a diversified, productive, and sustainable economy,ˮ said Bouna Sylla, Minister of Mines and Geology.
“Our goal is to transform mineral wealth into infrastructure, industrial capacity, jobs, skills, and opportunities for Guinean businesses. Guinea is positioning itself as a long-term destination for responsible investment, not merely as a supplier of raw materials. The vision of His Excellency Mamadi Doumbouya, President of the Republic, is to process mining products domestically to build stronger value chains.”
Four days focused on investment and delivery
The four-day agenda will include ministerial discussions, executive panels, investor forums, technical sessions, project showcases, and structured business networking.
Organisers expect more than 1,000 senior attendees, 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 kicks off on 11 November with an invitation-only gathering on Kassa Island, a former bauxite mining site now being rehabilitated—symbolising Guinea’s shift from extraction to restoration and industrial progress.
On 12 and 13 November at the Radisson Blu, the programme will feature ministerial dialogues, executive roundtables, investor forums, technical sessions, and business meetings. The final day offers invited delegates an opportunity to tour mining infrastructure assets, including facilities linked to Compagnie du TransGuinéen.
Direct access to Guinea’s investment ecosystem
Designed for senior decision-makers in government, industry, and finance, the Summit will offer direct engagement with 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,ˮ said Namory Camara, Chief Executive Officer of the Guinea Development Board (GDB). “Our focus is on giving investors clearer visibility, stronger institutional backing, and a straightforward path from first contact to successful project delivery.”
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, demonstrating their dedication to responsible development and long-term investment.
“The Simandou Mining Summit offers a strategic forum to strengthen investment, industrial alliances, and the responsible growth of Guinea’s mining sector,ˮ said Karifa Condé, Managing Director of Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG). “With over five decades of operational history and a deep-rooted presence in the country, CBG is pleased 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 participants to join this momentum.”
“Nimba Mining Company is honoured to serve as a founding partner of the Simandou Mining Summit, an event that captures Guinea’s ambition to sustainably convert its natural resources into lasting national value,ˮ said Patrice L’Huillier, chief executive officer of Nimba Mining Company (NMC). “As a domestic mining company, NMC is committed to fully engaging in this drive by blending operational excellence, the development of Guinean expertise, stronger local content, and preparations for industrial processing. The Summit will be a vital platform to attract the partners, know-how, and investment needed to execute transformative projects for Guinea.”
The Simandou Mining Summit is delivered by Africa Practice and Fastmarkets.
“Africa Practice has worked alongside Guinea’s government to turn the ambition of Simandou 2040 into a platform that the global community can directly engage with,ˮ said Marcus Courage, CEO of Africa Practice. “Our job is to link international investors and industry leaders with the institutions driving Guinea’s transformation on the ground—the Summit is where that access becomes tangible action.”
Raju Daswani, CEO of Fastmarkets, added: “Fastmarkets is delighted to collaborate with Guinea’s government on this landmark event. As the global price reporting agency and commodity market intelligence provider, transparent markets, reliable information, and strong international partnerships are critical to attracting long-term investment. The Simandou Mining Summit will create a space 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
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
