Guinea’s Bauxite Exports Surge on Strong Chinese Demand

Guinea’s bauxite sector recorded a landmark performance in 2025, as exports surged on the back of exceptionally strong demand from China. Total shipments reached nearly 183 million metric tons, representing a 25 percent year on year increase and firmly entrenching Guinea as the world’s leading supplier of aluminium ore. This export boom underscores not only Guinea’s growing importance in global mineral supply chains, but also the expanding influence of China over strategically vital African resources.

The export growth was overwhelmingly driven by China, which absorbed a record 74 percent of Guinea’s total bauxite shipments during the year. Guinea has held the position of the world’s top bauxite exporter since 2023, and the 2025 figures further widened the gap with competing producers. In total, 23 mining companies shipped bauxite from Guinea, reflecting a highly active and competitive operating environment. Chalco emerged as the single largest exporter, shipping 22.1 million tons, followed by Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée with 17.4 million tons. SMB and AGB2A/SDM each exported around 17.0 million tons, reinforcing Guinea’s role as a critical hub for large scale bulk mineral supply.

Although exports slowed in the second half of the year due to logistical constraints and seasonal factors, volumes still rose 16 percent year on year to 84 million tons over that period. On the demand side, China’s total bauxite imports climbed 26.4 percent to 200.5 million tons, with Guinea supplying more than 80 percent of the feedstock required by Chinese aluminium smelters. This deepening reliance has had global market implications, as surging supply weighed on prices. Alumina prices in Shanghai fell by approximately 48 percent during the first ten months of 2025, reflecting both abundant raw material availability and softer margins across the aluminium value chain.

Looking ahead, Guinea’s authorities are seeking to rebalance the sector away from raw ore exports. The government has reiterated plans to develop domestic alumina refineries and iron ore pellet plants, aiming to capture greater value locally and reduce exposure to volatile international prices. Officials report that the production boom is already translating into higher fiscal returns, with mining revenues projected to rise by 40 percent in 2025. As new state backed mines come online, strong export volumes are expected to continue, potentially reshaping Guinea’s mining economy from a volume driven exporter into a more diversified industrial producer.

Mini-Glossary

• Bauxite: The primary ore used to produce aluminium.
• Alumina: A refined product derived from bauxite, used as the direct input for aluminium smelting.
• Feedstock: Raw material supplied to an industrial process.
• Pellet plant: A facility that processes fine iron ore into pellets suitable for steelmaking.
• Smelter: An industrial plant where metal is extracted from ore by heating and chemical processes.

Editor: Vural Burç ÇAKIR