DAKAR, Jan 26 – Guinea’s bauxite exports rose 25% in 2025 to 182.8 million metric tons, official data seen by Reuters showed, cementing its dominance in aluminium ore supply.
A record 74% of shipments went to China, according to Chinese customs data, as Beijing tightens its grip over Guinea’s vast resources.
Guinea overtook Australia as the world’s No.1 bauxite exporter in 2023, said Fitch Solutions’ BMI research firm, persistently posting double-digit output growth.
The mines ministry data showed 23 companies shipped bauxite in 2025. China’s Chalco led with 22.1 million tons, followed by CBG – a company majority owned by a consortium including mining firms Rio Tinto and Alcoa with 17.4 million tons.
SMB, Guinea’s first private bauxite exporter, and the largely Guinean-owned AGB2A/SDM joint venture shipped 17.0 million tons each.
Exports slowed in the second half, but rose 16% to 84 million tons.
BEIJING TIGHTENS GRIP ON GUINEA RESOURCES
China remains the main beneficiary of Guinea’s mining boom, exerting significant control over the country’s mineral resources. Chinese firms now hold more than 60% ownership in the massive Simandou iron ore project , which began production last year. In addition, Chinese companies have established stakes in Guinea’s gold and lithium projects, further consolidating their influence in the country’s mineral sector.
The impact of this partnership is evident in trade data. In 2025, China’s bauxite imports surged by 26.4% to reach 200.5 million tons, driven primarily by increased supply from Guinea, according to figures from the General Administration of Customs in China.
Citi highlighted that Guinea had shipped 150 million tons of bauxite to China by November, accounting for more than 80% of the bauxite required to feed Beijing’s aluminium smelting operations with a total capacity of 45 million tons. This underscores Guinea’s critical role in supporting China’s aluminium industry and the deepening economic ties between the two countries.
GUINEA OUTPUT WEAKENS GLOBAL PRICES
Guinea’s output surge came as China capped smelting capacity, pushing down prices. Shanghai alumina fell 48% in the first 10 months of 2025.
In November the mine minister said the government is accelerating plans for domestic alumina refineries and iron-ore pellet plants to reduce raw exports.
“We are finally seeing production growth translate into state finances,” said Bernabe Sanchez, principal mineral economist at Canadian consultancy CPCS, citing the Guinea budget ministry’s projections for a 40% rise in 2025 revenues.
He expects strong exports to continue as state-owned Nimba and Axis Mining ramp up production.
Weekly ministry data for January 12–18 showed 4.9 million tons of bauxite and 175,880 tons of iron ore shipped
