Due to construction activities related to the world's largest iron ore reserves, water bodies and soil in communities surrounding Guinea's Simandou project are contaminated.

Coastal settlements near the export port report that fishing areas are polluted and houses have cracked, while testing revealed highly acidic, bacteria-contaminated water along the railway and mines, making it unfit for untreated consumption. This pollution directly impacts residents' health, particularly that of pregnant women and children.

The findings emerge as operators Rio Tinto/Chinalco (Blocks 3-4) and China-backed Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) (Blocks 1-2) prepare initial shipments.