The Guinean government has revoked the bauxite mining concession held by Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), a subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), and reassigned it to a newly formed state-backed company, Nimba Mining SA.
Authorities cited violations of the mining code, particularly GAC’s failure to present plans for constructing a local alumina refinery.
The 690-square-kilometre concession, containing an estimated 400 million tons of bauxite, was transferred without compensation. This move reflects a broader regional trend by military-led governments in West Africa to reclaim control over strategic mineral resources.
EGA, which began operating in Guinea in 2019, denounced the decision as a breach of contractual and legal obligations and vowed to pursue legal action, including international arbitration. The company has been in a standoff with Guinean authorities since October 2024, when its operations were suspended.
GAC contributes about 2–3% of global bauxite supply, and while the swift transfer of ownership may ease immediate supply concerns, analysts warn of potential market volatility ahead.
Guinea’s bauxite exports hit a record 99.8 million tons in the first half of 2025 despite tighter regulations, as the country pushes for more in-country processing and reassesses inactive or non-compliant mining licenses.
