The matter would have consciousness, but I guess the simulation would be of a different consciousness, made of processing.

Although, our brains also are doing computation, and also seem to have consciousness. Are they linked? Why/why not…

This is animism, right? It is a religious belief. Not really subject to testing.

I am conscious, I can act as a nand gate. If you set up a billion people and had them act as a computer (was that in 3 Body Problem?) it would not be conscious of what it was doing.