Simandou Iron Ore Project, Guinea
Over the last 20 years SRK have provided a suite of geotechnical, hydrogeological, hydrological, geological and environmental services for Rio Tinto's Simandou Iron Ore Project. In the last 4 years, key work scopes have included comprehensive geotechnical investigations and design studies - overseeing core drilling campaigns, in-situ testing, geotechnical logging, and laboratory analysis to inform the open-pit slope stability and foundation designs for major mine infrastructure. Our team produced detailed factual and interpretive geotechnical reports for the Ouéléba pit and all planned infrastructure (e.g. plant site, rail loop, conveyor corridor, roads), incorporating a terrain hazard assessment (landslide and slope instability risks) and an updated seismic hazard study to ensure designs met safety criteria. We also carried out a quarry/borrow pit study to identify local sources of construction material (aggregate and rockfill), supporting the project’s haul road and infrastructure development with on-site material supply.
In parallel, SRK conducted extensive hydrogeology and water management studies. We implemented a network of vibrating wire piezometers and monitoring wells across the site, and performed pumping tests and flow gauging to characterise groundwater and surface water regimes. Using these data, our hydrotechnical specialists built an integrated 3D numerical groundwater flow model coupled with surface water simulations to evaluate mine dewatering requirements and slope depressurisation strategies. This informed the preliminary design of a pit dewatering system (including vertical dewatering wells and horizontal drains) and predicted the mine’s influence on local aquifers and streams.
SRK’s scope also addressed the project’s environmental and operational requirements. We designed and executed a baseline water quality sampling programme, with analyses to establish site-specific discharge criteria in line with the project’s Environmental and Social Management Plan. Our geochemists conducted detailed mineral waste characterisation, including acid rock drainage (ARD) predictions for waste rock and pit wall materials. This work fed into a comprehensive Mineral Waste Management Plan, that was developed by Simfer. By integrating geotechnical, water, and geochemical data, we ensured that our engineering solutions were robust and cost-effective while minimising environmental impact (e.g. preventing acid runoff and maintaining downstream water quality).
All these work streams were delivered through integrated project management. SRK’s project team coordinated activities between field crews in Guinea and technical specialists in the UK, closely aligning the multi-disciplinary tasks with the overall project schedule. For on-site operations, SRK deployed a rotating fly-in/fly-out field team of hydrogeologists, geotechnical engineers, and site managers – drawn from UK and Global Consulting Practises – to maintain continuous site supervision and agile problem-solving despite the remote location.
SRK is delighted to continue to provide specialist geotechnical, water management, geology and mine planning support as the project moves into implementation.
