Wabtec Corporation has announced a US$248 million order for Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives and services from Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS, a Baowu & Winning joint venture) to support their rail operations at the high-grade iron ore project, located in the east of Guinea.

The agreement follows a locomotive order a few months earlier from SimFer (a Rio Tinto joint venture) to serve its operations at Simandou. The combined orders for the project, valued at more than half a billion, represent one of Wabtec’s largest international locomotive agreements in the past five years.

“As the world’s largest untapped high grade iron ore deposit, Simandou represents a transformational economic opportunity for Guinea, and Wabtec’s commitment extends beyond delivering advanced locomotive solutions to ensure the success of this critical initiative in partnership with WCS and SimFer,” said Wabtec’s Regional Vice President of Sub-Saharan Africa, Mpilo Dlamini. “We are also committed to the development of Guinea by fostering local employment, developing indigenous talent, and empowering local businesses to support the operation and maintenance of this vital rail network.”

The ES43ACmi is a dual-cab locomotive with a 4,500HP Evolution Series engine. The locomotive provides exceptional fuel efficiency, and proven performance in harsh, high-temperature environments, like eastern Guinea. It is also capable of meeting UIC 3a and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 3 emission standards. Wabtec will begin delivering locomotives for the Simandou project in 2025.

“This locomotive order with Wabtec is another important milestone for the Simandou project,” said WCS CEO Mr. Zhang Cheng. “As work continues to build the TransGuinéen railway, we will have the equipment resources in place that support the high international standards that we’ve committed to deliver.”

The 600-km TransGuinéen Railway is under construction to connect the Simandou mine and the Port of Morebaya. The Simandou mountain range, located in the southeast of the Republic of Guinea, contains the world’s largest untapped reserve of high-grade iron ore. WCS is developing blocks #1 and #2 of the Simandou iron ore deposit, which currently account for more than 1.8 billion tonnes of estimated reserves.

Sidebar for Print issue title it: Key Takeaways

• Wabtec has secured a US$248 million order from Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) for Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives.
• This follows an earlier order from SimFer (Rio Tinto JV), bringing Wabtec’s total locomotive agreements for Simandou to over half a billion dollars—one of its largest international deals in five years.
• The ES43ACmi locomotives feature a 4,500HP Evolution Series engine, ensuring high fuel efficiency and performance in Guinea’s harsh climate.
• The locomotives comply with UIC 3a and U.S. EPA Tier 3 emission standards, aligning with international environmental regulations.
• The Simandou iron ore deposit is the world’s largest untapped reserve of high-grade iron ore, making it a globally significant mining development.
• The 600-km TransGuinéen Railway, currently under construction, is a critical logistics corridor linking the Simandou mine to the Port of Morebaya.
• Locomotive deliveries will begin in 2025, aligning with ongoing railway construction.
• The Simandou project’s progress could reshape global iron ore supply chains, increasing Guinea’s role in global steel production.