Simfer, a strategic joint venture established by Rio Tinto, the government of Guinea, and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings, has secured a locomotive fleet from transportation solutions provider Wabtec to support the railway operations of the Simandou Iron ore project in Guinea, West Africa.

The ES43ACmi is an advanced dual-cab locomotive equipped with a 4,500HP Evolution Series engine that provides fuel efficiency and excellent performance in high-temperature environments.

The Simandou mountain is located in the southeast of Guinea and has untapped iron ore reserves of approximately 2 billion. The new locomotive fleet is expected to accelerate the construction of Guinea’s Transguinean Railways.