Ulsan Holding Chairman of the Board Fatih Gülsün met with Republic of Congo Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso on June 3, 2026, during which the progress of the project and new investments planned in the country were discussed. According to the company’s statement, an iron ore processing plant with an annual capacity of approximately 2.5 million tonnes is planned to be commissioned in the near future. In the following stages, the capacity is targeted to be increased first to 3.5 million tonnes and then to 10 million tonnes per year.
Railway infrastructure is a critical component of the project
Railway infrastructure is of critical importance for transporting iron ore from the Mayoko-Moussondji project to the Port of Pointe-Noire. The railway line, previously stated by Ulsan Holding to be approximately 460 km long, was referred to as 465 km during meetings held in July 2026. During a meeting with the Congolese Ministry of Transport on July 16, the development of the railway corridor, rehabilitation of the line and increasing logistics capacity were discussed, while the supply of locomotives and wagons was also brought to the agenda.
According to the plans shared by Ulsan Mining Congo in July, annual production and export of 3-5 million tonnes of iron ore is targeted during the project’s full-scale operation phase. The group also stated that a budget of $240 million has been allocated for infrastructure development.
Integrated industrial model from Mayoko to Pointe-Noire
Ulsan Holding’s investment plan in Congo is not limited to iron ore production. The company plans to establish pellet production plants, DRI facilities and steel production facilities in the Pointe-Noire Special Economic Zone in order to transform the raw material into higher value-added products.
The planned steel plant with an annual capacity of approximately 2 million tonnes in the Loango Special Economic Zone in Pointe-Noire is also an important part of this strategy. Feasibility studies for the plant are ongoing with international partners, while production is planned to target the domestic market in Congo as well as other African countries.
383.8 million tonnes of iron ore reserves
The iron ore reserves of the Mayoko-Moussondji site are estimated at approximately 383.8 million tonnes, with an average iron grade of 34.46%. Approximately 22.1 million tonnes of the reserves are reportedly composed of colluvial hematite classified as direct shipping ore (DSO).
The mining agreement signed between Ulsan Mining Congo and the Republic of Congo in August 2024 covers a period of 25 years. Under the agreement, the company is responsible not only for mining activities but also for the rehabilitation and operation of the railway line between Mayoko-Moussondji and Pointe-Noire.
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