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西芒杜顺利投产,矿石供应迎变局
Bao Cheng Qi Huo· 2025-11-17 03:45
1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - On November 11, 2025, the Simandou project held a grand commissioning ceremony. The first shipment of iron ore by the Weltrade fleet marked the full completion and official operation of the world - class Simandou mining and infrastructure integration project [6][11][49]. - Guinea is rich in mineral resources, especially bauxite and iron ore. The Simandou iron ore is the world's largest undeveloped high - grade iron ore with great potential. Its proven resources are about 5 billion tons, and the total resource is estimated to reach 10 billion tons [6][12][49]. - The commissioning of the Simandou project, led by domestic funds, will impact the global iron ore supply pattern. In the early stage of production ramp - up, the incremental contribution is limited. The combined output of the north and south blocks is expected to reach 20 million tons in 2026, and approach 80 million tons in 2028. The north and south blocks are conservatively estimated to reach full production in 2029 and 2030 respectively. The new capacity release may lead to lower prices, and the project is unlikely to impact the four major miners but may squeeze the share of non - mainstream miners with medium - high costs [7][36][50]. 3. Summary by Directory 3.1 Guinea's Rich Mineral Resources - Guinea, located in western Africa, is known as a "geological miracle" with rich minerals. In 2024, its GDP was $25.76 billion, with a 6% year - on - year increase. The mining industry accounted for 25% [12]. - Guinea is the world's second - largest bauxite exporter. In 2024, its bauxite reserves reached 7.4 billion tons, about 1/4 of the global total. In 2023, its bauxite production was 122.9918 million tons (up 19% year - on - year), and exports were 126.5877 million tons (up 24% year - on - year). Many international mining companies have invested in Guinea [13]. - Guinea also has abundant iron ore resources, with proven reserves of 19.9 billion tons in 2018 and an iron grade of 56% - 65%. Well - known iron ore projects include Simandou, Zogota, and Monts Nimba [14]. - China - Guinea economic and trade cooperation has deepened. China is Guinea's largest export destination and import source. By June 2025, there were 114 Chinese - funded enterprises in Guinea, mainly in the mining industry. In the first half of 2025, Chinese - funded enterprises contributed 96.2% of the incremental bauxite shipments. Chinese enterprises are also involved in engineering construction and infrastructure operation in Guinea [20][21][22]. 3.2 Basic Information of the Simandou Iron Ore Project - The Simandou mountain range in Guinea is rich in iron ore. The Simandou Iron Ore Project consists of the north block (mining areas 1&2) and the south block (mining areas 3&4), with a total resource of over 4.6 billion tons [23][25][26]. - The north block is jointly developed by the Winning Consortium (WCS) and Baowu Resources Group, with iron ore reserves of over 1.8 billion tons and an iron grade of about 65.5%. The south block is led by Simfer, with participation from Rio Tinto and China Aluminum Iron Ore Holdings, and has reserves of about 2.8 billion tons and an iron grade of 65.5% [26][27]. - The Simandou project's infrastructure includes a railway system over 600 kilometers long and a dual - hub port system. By September 2025, the SimFer port was in the final equipment commissioning stage, with an annual shipping capacity of 65 million tons [30][31]. - The Simandou ore is mainly hematite, with high grade and low impurities. The average iron grade is 65.5%, and the average aluminum and silicon contents are below 3% and 2% respectively. However, as the mining depth increases, the main mineral components will change, which may affect costs in the long term [34][35]. 3.3 Analysis of the Impact of Simandou's Commissioning on Iron Ore Supply - Although the Simandou project was successfully commissioned in November 2025, its current impact is more symbolic, and the incremental supply may not exceed 1 million tons. It is expected to gradually release production capacity during the 14th Five - Year Plan period. The combined output of the north and south blocks is expected to reach 20 million tons in 2026 and approach 80 million tons in 2028 [36]. - The Simandou project is expected to break the current pattern dominated by Australia and Brazil and form a new supply pattern of "Australia - Brazil - Africa". It also helps improve domestic resource supply security [41]. - New capacity release may lead to price decline. Referring to FMG's history, the new capacity of Simandou is unlikely to impact the four major miners but may squeeze the share of non - mainstream miners with medium - high costs, making the overall ore supply more abundant and testing the cost support of non - mainstream miners [41][42]. 3.4 Conclusion - The Simandou project was officially put into operation on November 11, 2025. Guinea is rich in mineral resources, and the Simandou iron ore has great advantages [49]. - The commissioning of the Simandou project will affect the global iron ore supply pattern. The output will gradually increase in the future, and the new capacity may lead to price decline and squeeze the share of non - mainstream miners [50].