PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The government of Guinea was expected to release tender documents covering the northern half of the Simandou iron-ore project within the next two to three months.

Minister of Mines and Geology Kerfalla Yansane told Mining Weekly Online on the sidelines of Paydirt’s Africa Downunder conference, in Perth, that the country would have a clearer picture of possible investors by the end of the year.

Mining major Rio Tinto, which is part owner of the southern part of the Simandou project, has said that the company was unlikely to take part in the bidding process. “I don't think that the government actually wants us to participate,” CEO Sam Walsh said previously.

Diversified miner Glencore has also denied reports that it had expressed an interest to the Guinean government in developing the northern end of the project.

The northern half of the Simandou project has been much contested, with the Guinean government revoking the northern deposit’s mining licence from Brazilian giant Vale and its joint venture partner BSG Resources (BSGR).

Rio has accused Vale of using proprietary information disclosed in negotiations to gain control of the northern asset by colluding with Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz and BSGR.

BSGR was currently contesting the government's decision, and has initiated arbitration proceedings with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. BSGR was seeking the restitution of its mining titles and agreements, as well as damages arising out of the revocation of these interests.

Meanwhile, Yansane revealed that the Guinean government would establish a committee, consisting of the relevant Ministerial departments, to shorten the timeline for authorising major resource projects in the country.

“We want to manage this process very quickly and are prepared to delegate power to a small committee and authorise them to sign mining agreements,” he told Mining Weekly Online.

The committee would consist of representatives from the Department of Mines, Public Works, Transport and Environment.