Guinea: Over $300 million to accelerate bauxite production

Guinea aims to accelerate the exploitation of its bauxite deposits while securing the necessary resources to increase production. An agreement reached with the state-owned mining company Nimba Mining Company provides for financing of over $300 million and the marketing of the ore over five years.

The agreement provides for the marketing of 10 to 12 million tonnes of bauxite per year, for a volume that could reach 60 million tonnes over five years.

The operation comes as Conakry seeks to better capitalize on its significant bauxite reserves and increase the economic benefits of mining. Local processing of the ore is also among the stated objectives of the Guinean authorities.

The production in question comes mainly from the Tinguilinta deposit, in the northwest of the country, with a supply chain to the port of Kamsar.

Beyond export volumes, the challenge for Guinea is now to convert more of its mineral resources into revenue and industrial capacity, particularly through the development of local processing.

Yolande Bazié