Authorities in Guinea on Tuesday officially launched production at Simandou, a gigantic mining project that they hope will propel the West African country into the ranks of the world's largest iron exporters.

The long-awaited launch took place at a ceremony attended by Guinea's transitional president General Mamady Doumbouya near the port of Morebaya in the south of the country's capital, Conakry.

Doumbouya, who came to power in a 2021 coup, declared the day a public holiday, a sign of the importance authorities have attached to the mine.

Of the four Simandou mining deposits, two are being developed by a Chinese-Singaporean firm and the other two by a consortium owned by a Chinese mining company.

Significant boost to economy

The project will ideally provide a stream of much-needed revenue for the country and has already resulted in the construction of infrastructure that could help diversify the economy.

Industrial partners have spent approximately $20 billion building more than 650 kilometres of railways and a massive port.

The Simandou project additionally represents several thousand direct jobs.

Doumbouya, who was dressed in a white boubou tunic, did not speak at the ceremony. He will be running for president in the country's December 28 elections.