Guinea's bauxite exports hit record high in first half of 2026 on strong Chinese demand
2026-07-23 11:14:30 [Print]
Guinea's bauxite exports surged 15% to an all-time high in the first half of 2026, according to official data, propelled by robust demand from China even as smaller producers faced mounting pressure from rising fuel and freight costs.
Bauxite serves as a feedstock for alumina, a critical component in aluminium production, which is widely used across the transport, construction, and packaging industries.
As the world's largest bauxite exporter, Guinea shipped 114.8 million metric tons of the ore between January and June, up from 99.8 million tons during the same period last year, according to mines ministry data reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday.
Second-quarter exports rose 5.3% year-on-year to 53.9 million tons, compared with 51.2 million tons in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Industry leader Societe Miniere de Boke (SMB) shipped 16.95 million tons during the quarter, followed by China's Chalco with 7.73 million tons and Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee (CBG) with 4.13 million tons. Guinea also exported 238,563 tons of alumina within the period, the data showed.
Chinese companies hold a dominant position in Guinea's bauxite sector, which sends approximately 70% of its exports to China, and also control over 60% of Simandou, the world's largest untapped iron ore deposit.
Guinea has previously considered imposing restrictions on bauxite exports to support smaller miners and push up prices, though such measures have yet to be implemented.
Bauxite serves as a feedstock for alumina, a critical component in aluminium production, which is widely used across the transport, construction, and packaging industries.
As the world's largest bauxite exporter, Guinea shipped 114.8 million metric tons of the ore between January and June, up from 99.8 million tons during the same period last year, according to mines ministry data reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday.
Second-quarter exports rose 5.3% year-on-year to 53.9 million tons, compared with 51.2 million tons in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Industry leader Societe Miniere de Boke (SMB) shipped 16.95 million tons during the quarter, followed by China's Chalco with 7.73 million tons and Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee (CBG) with 4.13 million tons. Guinea also exported 238,563 tons of alumina within the period, the data showed.
Chinese companies hold a dominant position in Guinea's bauxite sector, which sends approximately 70% of its exports to China, and also control over 60% of Simandou, the world's largest untapped iron ore deposit.
Guinea has previously considered imposing restrictions on bauxite exports to support smaller miners and push up prices, though such measures have yet to be implemented.
Bauxite Malaysian 45%min CIF China
Unit:USD/dt
Africa bauxite producers' output statistics by country by month
Unit: mt
