Name: Mass layoffs cast shadow over Guinea’s Simandou mega-mine
Uploaded: 2025-12-18T17:20:31.109Z
Duration: 1 min 2 s
Description: The challenges facing Simandou underline the complexity of turning resource wealth into widespread prosperity for Guinea’s population, even as iron ore exports begin to flow.

The challenges facing Simandou underline the complexity of turning resource wealth into widespread prosperity for Guinea’s population, even as iron ore exports begin to flow.

Simandou

Guinea’s Simandou iron ore mega-mine has officially commenced output and export after nearly thirty years of delays. However, the transition from construction to operational phase has led to mass layoffs, with the workforce shrinking from over 60,000 at its peak to fewer than 15,000 jobs expected at full production.

Thousands of workers in the rural southeast, particularly around Dantilia and Kamara, are losing their livelihoods. Contractors and local sources have warned that the abrupt reduction in staff could increase the risk of social unrest and safety issues in the affected regions.

Mass layoffs cast shadow over Guinea’s Simandou mega-mine

Guinea's long-awaited Simandou iron ore mega mine has officially begun output and export after nearly three decades of delays, but hopes of transforming the country's fortune have been clouded by massive layoffs. At the peak of construction in 2024-2025, the vast project employed more than 60,000 workers. As for the transition from construction to operations now underway, the workforce will shrink dramatically, with fewer than 15,000 jobs expected to remain once full production starts. Thousands of workers already heavily concentrated in Guinea's rural southeast are losing their livelihoods, particularly around ops like Dantilia and Kamara. Contractors and local sources warn that the abrupt reduction in staff raises the risk of social unrest and safety concerns.

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