The following is an excerpt from Canaccord Genuity’s Morning Coffee newsletter.
In a sign (from the majors) that a long term view for iron ore continues to be bullish,
Rio Tinto (
NYSE: RIO,
Stock Forum) along with Chinalco Mining International Finance Corp. and the Government of Guinea announced the signing of the Investment Framework for a $20 billion deal to develop Guinea’s Simandou (blocks 3 and 4) iron ore project, which has been delayed for years, but would be Africa’s biggest iron ore and infrastructure project.
As well as mining the iron ore, the three partners say they are working together to raise the funds to build a 650-kilometre railway and a deepwater port to transport the rocks and minerals.
Rio has a 46.57% stake in the project, while its Chinese partner, Chinalco, owns a further 41.3% and will provide most of the remaining costs (the Guinea government has been given a free 15% stake in the project).
The 650 kilometre railway and new port, which will be required for the project, are thought to account for around two thirds of the estimated $20 billion costs, and to cut capex commitments, Rio has agreed that a consortium of third-party investors will fund, build and operate this infrastructure, which will also be available to other users.
Rio believes Simandou should provide a mine life of more than 40 years and will be able to produce 100 million tonnes of iron ore per year at peak production.