Port diversification underpins Guinea's 36 per cent jump in bauxite shipments to China

Guinea's exports of bauxite, a feedstock for aluminium, jumped 36 per cent to a record 99.8 million tonnes in the first half of 2025, driven by robust Chinese demand that offset declines from a regulatory crackdown, official data showed on Friday.

Bauxite exports jumped from 73.4 million tonnes in the same period last year, with Chinese-controlled firms commanding over 60 per cent of shipments from the West African nation's expanding port network.

Port diversification also supported export growth, with nine active facilities handling exports. Dapilon/Katougouma led with 30 per cent of shipments, followed by Kokaya at 25 per cent, reducing bottlenecks at the traditional Kamsar hub.

China's aluminum production climbed four per cent to 18.59 million tonnes in the first five months of 2025 as increased infrastructure spending and a manufacturing rebound boosted appetite for the critical raw material used in aluminum production, data from its National Bureau of Statistics showed.

China accounts for about 60 per cent of global production of aluminium, used in transport, packaging and construction. Guinea’s surging bauxite shipments to China coincide with the planned launch of the massive Simandou iron ore project, majority-owned by Chinese firms, deepening resource export dependence on Beijing as Western governments seek to diversify critical mineral supply chains.

China's CHALCO exported 8.9 million tonnes of bauxite from Guinea, while CDM-CHINE shipped 4.1 million tonnes and SPIC contributed 1.8 million tonnes.

Market leader SMB, backed by Chinese investors, dominated with 31.2 million tonnes, nearly one-third of total exports. The surge came despite Guinea's military government implementing stricter mining regulations that forced several companies to halt operations entirely. GAC, KIMBO, and SBG recorded zero exports throughout the period, while Kambia Bauxite Mining remained dormant.

The crackdown's impact was evident in the data variations. While established Chinese firms maintained steady shipments, smaller operators struggled.

Strong first-half performance positions Guinea, the world's second-largest bauxite producer, for annual exports potentially exceeding 199 million tonnes, cementing its status as the world's largest bauxite supplier despite ongoing regulatory restructuring.

"Guinea's first-half shipments represent 24 per cent of 2024's global supply, quite remarkable by all standards," said Theo Acheampong at Critical Minerals Africa Group. While China's dominance on Guinean bauxite is already established, "what would be interesting is Guinea building its own processing capacity to retain more in-country value."

Guinea has pressured bauxite producers to refine locally after decades of exporting the raw material, leading to disputes with some companies who have had their licenses revoked after they were not able to meet the refinery construction timelines set by the government.

(Reporting by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila; Editing by Pratima Desai and Sharon Singleton)