Ebola is not the only problem that Guinea has.  Simandou, a mining project in the country, is mired in problems.    Simandou has Ben called the El Dorado of mine ore.   Its deposits are large enough to fill seven percent of the world demand for a question after of a century..  The ore has unusually high iron content.  The cost for the mine, the railway and a port for shipping is 20 billion dollars.

When a new government was elected in Guinea in 2010, they replaced a long-term corrupt regime that had made many mining deals.  A committee was established to review all past mining contracts,  Brazilian companies Rio Tinto and Vale filed suits against BSG owned by the Steinmetz family trust.  BSG then filed for arbitration wiith Guinea.  Steinmetz also sued Global Witness, backed by George Soros, for not being a journalistic outfit, but instead an advocacy group.

Prospective investors are afraid of the risk.  The legal challenge from Steinmetz is outstanding.  Guinea is not politically stable. And. of course Ebola epidemic continues.

Development of Simandiu ciukd do wonders for an economy whose GDP is $530 per person.  It could generate tens of thousands if jobs and make the country’s agriculture business competitive for export thanks to the new railways.  Success might encourage the mining of otehr minerals like bauxite, graphite and manganese.

Nothing is expected to come out of the ground for at least five years if not ten.  Arbitration cases could drag on for years. Rio is focusing on projects in Australia.  Questionable circumstances  may cost the people of Guinea dearly.