Rio Tinto Group, a British-Australian multinational mining company, has suspended operations at its Simandou iron-ore project in Guinea following a fatal workplace accident on Friday.

The company confirmed that all activity at the SimFer mine site has been halted.

In a statement, CEO Jakob Stausholm expressed condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, as well as the wider community. "We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues impacted by this tragic event, as well as the wider community," he said.

The company is working with authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and is offering support to affected workers.

Rio Tinto's iron ore chief executive, Simon Trott, will travel to Guinea to meet with employees. "It is devastating to lose a colleague in this way," he said. "We will continue to do everything we can to ensure the safest possible work environment."

The Simandou project, one of the world's largest untapped iron-ore deposits, is a crucial growth initiative for Rio Tinto.

The company owns two of the four Simandou mining blocks as part of the SimFer joint venture with China's Chalco Iron Ore Holdings and the Guinea government. The project's iron-ore shipments were initially slated to commence in November this year.

The incident highlights the importance of prioritizing workplace safety, particularly in high-risk industries like mining. Rio Tinto's response to the incident demonstrates its commitment to supporting its employees and ensuring a safe working environment.