Guinea needs foreign mining firms - minister

CONAKRY, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Guinea will work with foreign investors in the mineral-rich West African country as long as they comply with its mining code, its new mines minister said late on Friday.

Guinea is the world's biggest exporter of aluminium ore bauxite, and has the resources to be a major supplier of steelmaking raw material iron ore, but questions have recently been raised about the status of some deals.

Louncency Nabe was appointed by President Lansana Conte on Wednesday after the sacking of former minister Ahmed Kante, who had launched a wide-ranging review of mining contracts.

"To our foreign partners, I would simply say that success ... is inconceivable without the good collaboration I propose to pursue with them," Nabe told journalists at his swearing-in ceremony.

London-listed mining major Rio Tinto (RIO.L: Quote, Profile, Research) holds the concession for the $6 billion Simandou iron ore project, and is a partner in bauxite exporter CBG with Alcoa (AA.N: Quote, Profile, Research). Russian aluminium giant RUSAL mines and refines bauxite in Guinea.

The legality of the Simandou contract was questioned by a former presidential ally who was fired in August, while Guinea said in July it was replacing Alcoa as manager of CBG.

"There can be no development without investment, and no investment without investors. We ask for transparency, realism and respect for the mining law that is in effect," the new minister said.

(Reporting by Saliou Samb; Editing by Daniel Magnowski and Peter Blackburn)