Guinea’s bauxite exports surge 36% to 99.8 million tons in first half of 2025, driven by strong Chinese demand

Guinea’s bauxite exports have experienced a significant surge in the first half of 2025, reaching a record 99.8 million metric tons—a 36% increase from the 73.4 million tons recorded during the same period in 2024. This remarkable growth is primarily driven by robust demand from China, which has intensified its aluminum production due to increased infrastructure spending and a manufacturing rebound. China’s aluminum output rose by 4.0% to 18.59 million tons in the first five months of 2025, further fueling the demand for bauxite.

Chinese-controlled firms have played a pivotal role in this export boom, accounting for over 60% of Guinea’s bauxite shipments. Société Minière de Boké (SMB), backed by Chinese investors, led the exports with 31.2 million tons, nearly one-third of the total exports. Other significant contributors include Chalco, which exported 8.9 million tons, CDM-CHINE with 4.1 million tons, and SPIC with 1.8 million tons.

Despite the surge in exports, Guinea’s military government has implemented stricter mining regulations, leading to the suspension of operations for several companies. Firms such as GAC, KIMBO, and SBG recorded zero exports during this period, while Kambia Bauxite Mining remained inactive. These regulatory measures aim to enhance compliance and curb illicit activities within the mining sector.

To accommodate the escalating export volumes, Guinea has expanded its port infrastructure, increasing the number of active facilities to nine. This diversification has alleviated bottlenecks at traditional hubs like Kamsar. Notably, the Dapilon/Katougouma port handled 30% of the shipments, followed by Kokaya at 25%, thereby streamlining the export process.

Looking ahead, Guinea is on track to surpass 199 million tons in annual bauxite exports by the end of 2025, solidifying its position as the world’s leading bauxite supplier. This trajectory underscores the nation’s critical role in the global aluminum supply chain, particularly in meeting China’s growing demand for raw materials essential to aluminum production.