Guinea record 39% surge in bauxite exports after regulatory crackdowns on major operators

Guinea’s bauxite exports hit a record 48.6 million metric tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 39% increase year-over-year—even as regulatory crackdowns sidelined major players in the sector. Official data from the country’s Ministry of Mines and Geology, obtained by Reuters, underscores the remarkable resilience of Guinea’s mining industry amid shifting global trade dynamics.

Guinea, the world’s second-largest bauxite producer, shipped its product aboard 312 vessels during Q1 2025, up from 225 ships carrying 34.9 million tonnes in the same period last year. The surge has been driven by strong Chinese demand, as China’s aluminum production rebounded with 18.59 million tonnes produced between January and May, a 4% increase over the same period in 2024, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics.

China’s Grip on Guinea’s Bauxite Grows Stronger

China remains the dominant destination for Guinea’s bauxite. In 2024, Guinea supplied nearly 70% of China’s total bauxite imports, which totaled 158.7 million tonnes. The trend is continuing into 2025, cementing Guinea’s role as a critical supplier to China’s industrial ecosystem.

“Weekly export volumes of 3.7 million tonnes point to an annualized total of 199 million tonnes for 2025—up from 146 million tonnes in 2024,” said Bernabe Sanchez, a mineral economist who specializes in Guinea. “This reflects the strength of demand from China and the sector’s capacity to scale, even under regulatory pressure.”

Guinea’s record-setting quarter comes despite a challenging regulatory environment. The government has imposed an export ban on Emirates Global Aluminium’s local operations—which had shipped 3.6 million tonnes in Q1 2024—and tightened oversight of other major operators, including China Hongqiao’s subsidiary AGB2A/SDM.

Even so, Chinese-controlled companies posted massive export gains:

Société Minière de Boké (SMB) led the pack with 18.4 million tonnes, a 41% rise from Q1 2024.
Chalco, China’s state-owned mining giant, increased shipments by 35% to 5.1 million tonnes.
Despite regulatory setbacks, AGB2A/SDM still managed to export 8 million tonnes.

These figures highlight China’s deepening control over Guinea’s bauxite output as Beijing seeks to secure raw materials to support its domestic aluminum industry—vital for sectors ranging from construction to military manufacturing.

With bauxite the primary feedstock for aluminum production, Guinea plays an outsized role in global markets. The West African nation supplies approximately half the world’s bauxite, and its resource base has attracted billions in foreign investment—particularly from China.

To support the booming export volumes, Guinea has expanded its port and logistics infrastructure, most notably around the Port of Kamsar and the Boké region, to handle larger shipments and reduce bottlenecks. Government officials have also signaled plans for more localized refining to increase domestic value capture and reduce raw export dependency.

Key Takeaways:

Guinea’s Q1 2025 bauxite exports hit a record 48.6 million tonnes, up 39% year-over-year.
China remains the top importer, accounting for nearly 70% of Guinea’s exports.
Export growth continues despite bans and regulatory slowdowns affecting major operators.
Chinese-controlled firms like SMB and Chalco dominated Q1 shipments.
Guinea’s annualized export rate could hit 199 million tonnes in 2025.

As global demand for aluminum continues to rise, Guinea’s role as a cornerstone of the bauxite trade appears secure. But whether this boom translates into long-term, inclusive economic benefit for its population will depend on how the government manages the intersection of foreign influence, mineral wealth, and domestic priorities.