Ivanhoe Atlantic has completed the environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) for its Kon Kweni iron ore project in Guinea and submitted permit applications to begin construction in early 2026. The submissions move the project closer to execution, with construction expected to start in the first quarter of next year. Applications were also filed with relevant authorities in Liberia, where rail infrastructure to export the iron ore will be developed.

Liberty Corridor.

Bronwyn Barnes, Ivanhoe Atlantic president and CEO, said: “The development of Kon Kweni is a significant contributor to both Guinean and Liberian economies and will provide a new high-grade iron ore export stream that is aligned with US critical mineral supply chains.” She described the ESIA completion and submission as “a significant milestone” for the company and the project.

The Guinea ESIA covers Phase 1 mining activities at Kon Kweni, while the Liberian ESIA relates to the associated infrastructure component. In 2024, Ivanhoe Atlantic announced plans to build a multi-user corridor, known as the Liberty Corridor, connecting Guinea and Liberia. This project includes a new rail system linking Kon Kweni to a deep-water port at Didia, Liberia. Earlier this year, the parties reached a $1.8 billion investment agreement for the rail development.

Kon Kweni, also called Nimba, is a shovel-ready, world-class iron ore deposit with a total resource of 751.9 million tonnes of direct ship ore, including 209 million tonnes of high-grade iron ore at 67.8%. Ivanhoe Atlantic’s subsidiary in Guinea, Société des Mines de Fer de Guinée, owns 85% of the project, while the Guinean government holds 10% and Mifergui locality 5%.

Phase 1 of the project will target an initial production of 2 million tonnes per year, ramping up to 5 million tonnes. Phase 2, planned for 2029 and requiring a separate ESIA, aims for 30 million tonnes per year along with infrastructure enhancements.

As a first-of-its-generation cross-border project in the Mano River Union, which includes Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Ivory Coast, Kon Kweni is expected to generate long-term economic benefits for the region. Ivanhoe Atlantic emphasizes that the project will strengthen regional connectivity and provide a high-grade iron ore export stream, supporting broader economic growth in both countries.

By completing the ESIA and securing permit applications, Ivanhoe Atlantic positions Kon Kweni as a key future supplier of iron ore, while aligning infrastructure and mining development to regional logistics and export needs. The Liberty Corridor rail and port infrastructure will enable efficient cross-border transport, further enhancing the project’s strategic value.