Recently, the tunnel of the railway branch line for the Simandou Project, jointly invested by Chinalco and its partners, achieved full breakthrough. This milestone marks the completion of the subgrade construction for the 72-kilometer branch line, successfully bridging the "final link" between Blocks 3 and 4 of the Simandou iron ore mine and the main Massi railway. This critical step brings the project closer to its scheduled commissioning and the goal of delivering the "first shipment of ore," while also injecting strong momentum into Guinea’s resource development and regional economic growth.

As a vital component of the Simandou Project, the branch railway—tasked with transporting iron ore—bears immense significance and engineering challenges, playing a crucial role in ensuring the efficient development and export of mineral resources.

The newly connected tunnel is a single-tube, single-track structure spanning 926 meters. Its construction faced extreme geological complexity, including traversing a 255-meter-long fault fracture zone, posing significant technical challenges. Since commencement, the Simandou Project joint venture organized specialized teams to meticulously plan and execute construction. Overcoming multiple technical hurdles while ensuring safety and quality, they completed the tunnel excavation to a high standard.

Concurrently, overall project construction has progressed steadily: 133 culverts and 5 bridges have been built, approximately 18.5 million cubic meters of earthwork have been completed, and track laying, station buildings, and power/communication systems are advancing in parallel. These efforts lay a solid foundation for the upcoming full line operation.

As a major investor, Chinalco has consistently prioritized the Simandou Project’s progress. Leveraging its strengths in resource integration and project management, it coordinates all stakeholders while adhering to high-standard, internationally recognized management systems. Rigorous control over safety, quality, and timelines has ensured steady progress throughout implementation.

Throughout the project, Chinalco embodied its ethos of "professionalism, dedication, responsibility, and commitment." Proactively tackling challenges, it demonstrated accountability and expertise in overseas mega-project execution. Chinalco actively engaged in local partnerships and community development, fulfilling corporate social responsibilities by advancing employment, community initiatives, and environmental protection in parallel. This approach has solidified its image as a responsible, trustworthy, and respected company.