By: Energy capital & power

Power generation manufacturer Himoinsa recently completed a 24 MW power plant for a metallurgy facility in Kouriah, delivering critical energy stability to one of Guinea-Conakry’s key industrial zones. The installation includes 12 HTW 2030 T5 diesel gensets, fuel automation, SCADA control and medium-voltage switchgear, designed to ensure continuous operations despite the country’s challenging grid reliability.

The power upgrade comes as Guinea-Conakry’s bauxite sector reports record-breaking growth. Exports surged 39% year-on-year in Q1, 2025 to 48.6 million tons, driven by robust Chinese demand and expanded port capacity. A total of 312 vessels departed in Q1, up from 225 a year earlier. H1 exports reached 99.8 million tons, marking a 36% increase and positioning Guinea-Conakry to exceed 199 million tons by year-end – up from 148 million tons in 2024.

Infrastructure and Regulation Fuel Output Surge

Guinea-Conakry’s export strength stems from infrastructure improvements and high-grade deposits. Port diversification has eased bottlenecks, with the ports of Dapilon, Katougouma and Kokaya handling over half of current volumes. The under-construction Trans-Guinean Railway – developed by Baosteel, Rio Tinto and the Guinean government – is set to accelerate shipments from emerging assets such as Arrow Minerals’ Niagara project, which has confirmed high-grade mineralization over a 5 km2 zone.

Mining company Société Minière de Boké led first-quarter exports with 18.4 million tons, while bauxite producer AGB2A/SDM and state-owned Chalco shipped 8 million tons and 5.1 million tons, respectively. Guinea-Conakry continues to supply nearly 70% of China’s bauxite imports, supporting a 4% year-on-year increase in Chinese aluminum production, which reached 18.9 million tons in the first five months of 2025. This sustained demand reinforces Guinea’s strategic importance in the global aluminum value chain.

Government Eyes Downstream Growth

The Guinean government has introduced new measures to boost state participation in the country’s mining sector. These include a requirement that 50% of all bauxite exports ship under the national flag via the newly launched Guinéenne des Transports Maritimes, and the establishment of the Guinea Bauxite Index to improve pricing transparency.

Premium-grade deposits in the country include critical minerals developer Lindian Resources’ Lelouma and Gaoual projects, which boast roughly 398 million tons with an average grade of 48.1% aluminum oxide and 84 million tons with an average grade of 51.2% aluminum oxide, respectively. These projects position Guinea-Conakry to expand beneficiation while projects like Woula offer short-term direct shipping opportunities with low capex. However, full value-chain integration remains a long-term goal for the country, requiring further investment in refining capacity, infrastructure and regulatory clarity. Amid record bauxite prices, Guinea-Conakry’s strong resource base and infrastructure gains are continuing to attract investor interest.

Guinea-Conakry’s dynamic bauxite and mining sector is set to be a key focal point at the upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition, taking place in Dakar from December 9-10. As the world’s largest bauxite exporter, Guinea-Conakry is undergoing a strategic transformation driven by record production levels, new infrastructure and increasing state participation. By bringing the country’s mining ambitions into dialogue with oil, gas and power stakeholders from across the MSGBC basin, the conference is set to promote cross-sectoral collaboration while positioning mining as a catalyst for inclusive development, industrialization and value addition across West Africa.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGB region’s oil, gas, power and mining sectors. Visit www.msgcoilgasandpower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com