First Look: Wabtec ES43ACi for Guinea Iron-Ore Project (UPDATED 6/23)

Wabtec last summer landed a $277 million order from Rio Tinto SimFer for “several dozen” of the units to support rail operations for the Simandou high-grade iron ore project, which is located in southeastern Guinea and said to be Africa’s largest mining and infrastructure development project.

“The Simandou mountain range subsoils contain world-class ore reserves of high-grade iron ore, estimated by Rio Tinto at around 1.5 billion tons,” Wabtec reported May 26. “The project includes the development of a 600-kilometer [373-mile] multi-use railway connecting the mine to the port located on the coast of the Forécariah prefecture in Guinea. The international investment in the project and its infrastructure represents a transformational opportunity for Guinea, which will support economic growth across the country.”

The new ES43ACi features blue and turquoise-colored livery of La Compagnie de TransGuinéen, the joint venture company that will operate the Simandou Railway. It is equipped with a 4,500 h.p. Evolution Series diesel engine, designed and manufactured in the United States. According to Wabtec, the unit not only provides “best-in-class fuel efficiency” but also has “proven performance in high-temperature environments.”

The May 26 unveiling ceremony included delegations from the governments of Guinea, India, and the United States, as well as executives from Rio Tinto SimFer, Indian Railways, and Wabtec. It also commemorated “the first and largest” export order of heavy-haul locomotives assembled by the Wabtec plant in Marhowra, India, according to the manufacturer.

“This locomotive symbolizes a major step in our strategy to connect the Simandou project to the world, while bringing opportunities to the people of Guinea,” said Charles Zimmermann, Global Head of Projects for Rio Tinto. “We are proud to see the first SimFer locomotive roll off the production line and begin to make its way towards Guinea. This locomotive and the entire TransGuinéen Railway are critical for transporting the high-grade iron from the mine to the global market. We are grateful for Wabtec’s contribution and the role it is playing in this unique project.”

“It is an honor to celebrate this milestone with our partners as we supply the advanced locomotives needed to meet the demands of the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron mine,” added Mpilo Dlamini, Wabtec’s Regional Vice President of Sub-Saharan Africa. “This unveiling is a tribute to a global team that designed and built a locomotive specifically tailored for the Simandou project. These locomotives will efficiently facilitate the export of the mine’s critical minerals, while contributing to economic development in Guinea and providing access to services across the infrastructure corridor.”

Earlier this year, Wabtec was awarded a $248 million order for Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives and services from Winning Consortium Simandou, a Baowu & Winning joint venture—also for the Simandou project.

Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi on June 20 flagged off the first Evolution Series ES43ACi locomotives to Guinea from the Marhowra plant, which Wabtec said “marks a significant step” under the Prime Minister’s “Make in India” initiative (click here to watch). 

The Marhowra plant, which started operations in 2018, “leverages global lean manufacturing processes” and has ramped up its capacity to deliver 170 locomotives per year, which includes 100 locomotives to Indian Railways, according to Wabtec. The plant’s workforce comes from Bihar and Jharkhand.

Wabtec reported that its outreach programs in and around the Marhowra factory have provided vocational training and educational equity enabling community development in the region. The programs, it noted, have prepared and supported more than 600 female entrepreneurs. Also trained: engineers from the local polytechnic. They have learned the welding skills needed to secure employment.

“We are very pleased to have the Honorable Prime Minister flagging off the first export locomotives,” said Sujatha Narayan, Senior Vice President and Wabtec India Region Leader, on June 20. “It gives us the confidence that the government of India, the government of Bihar, and the Indian Railways are committed to the long-term growth and sustainability of our locomotive project for regional, social, and economic development. These locomotives symbolize the success of our evolving public-private partnership, which started in 2015. We have come together as global teams across government entities and private companies to realize this milestone in the journey of the Marhowra plant. These locomotives will efficiently facilitate the export of critical minerals and help drive Guinea’s economic development.”