Guinea has recently signed a significant alumina refinery deal with a subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to develop its aluminum industry

According to two senior officials from Guinea’s mines ministry, a non-binding agreement has been signed between Guinea and a subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminum for the construction of a significant alumina refinery. This will be the second refinery of its kind in the country.

The agreement, referred to as a “Term Sheet”, states that the company, operating under Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), plans to construct a refinery with a capacity of 2 million metric tons by September 2026 in the western region of the country. Anticipated annual production is projected to be 1.2 million tons.

Guinea, Africa’s largest producer of aluminum ore, has been actively working to utilize its mineral resources for economic growth. The country has been encouraging companies to establish local facilities for refining bauxite into more valuable alumina.

According to one official, an estimated $4 billion is set to be invested in the project. Both individuals preferred to remain anonymous as they were not authorized to speak.

Additionally, a mines ministry official mentioned that GAC will be collaborating with Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) for this project.

According to a source at GAC, the deal has been confirmed. The company announced on its website on June 3rd that it had entered into a framework agreement with Chinalco to further their collaboration on the establishment of an alumina refinery in the Republic of Guinea.

The statement on its website mentioned that the companies plan to continue working together to advance the project’s feasibility and joint investment.
Emirates Global Aluminum did not respond to a request for comment right away.

In 2019, the Emirati company ventured into Guinea and successfully exported approximately 14 million metric tons of bauxite by 2022.

The West African nation currently has one alumina refinery, which is the Friguia refinery owned by Russian aluminum giant Rusal.

Ever since taking control through a coup in 2021, the military junta led by Mamady Doumbouya has been urging companies in Guinea’s mining sector to enhance their investments in the value chain by constructing refineries.