
Nimba Mining Company SA has appointed Patrice L'Huillier as Director General and Djiba Diakité as Chairman of the Board of Directors, with both appointments confirmed through separate presidential decrees. The announcement was made on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a national television news broadcast. L'Huillier, a civil engineer specialising in bridges and roads, will serve as Director General for an initial three-year term, which is renewable. According to his appointment decree, he will work under a performance contract with the Ministry of Mines and Geology. The contract will establish his objectives, the methods for assessing his performance and his obligations regarding the transfer of skills to national staff. In a separate decree, Diakité, Minister Director of the Cabinet of...
Rio Tinto’s planned USD 1.9 billion investment in the Kangwinan bauxite project is expected to support more than 1,300 construction jobs in Queensland, while helping secure the long-term future of its Weipa mining operations as existing sources of production approach the end of their lives. Located on Western Cape York Peninsula, Kangwinan will add 20 million tonnes of annual bauxite production capacity, with first output targeted for 2029 and full production expected by 2032. The project will raise Weipa Operations’ annual capacity to around 44 million tonnes from current production of approximately 38 million tonnes. Construction is scheduled to ramp up in 2027. Beyond the immediate employment boost, the investment is expected to help sustain Rio Tinto’s residentially based workforce of...
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French bauxite explorer Alliance Miniere Responsable said it filed for permission to develop a $200 million mining project in northern Guinea. AMR seeks the right to mine bauxite in the West African nation’s Boke district for at least 15 years, Romain Girbal, president and co-founder of the Paris-based company, said in an e-mailed statement on Thursday. The company wants to complete the development of the mine and lift annual output to 5 million metric tons of the ore by 2019, he said. “We’re on time with respect to our set schedule,” Girbal said in the statement. Guinea “has strong ambitions to develop the industry and has regulations in line with the best international practices.” Investment in Guinea’s bauxite mines is key to unlocking faster economic growth in country which holds more...

In a move aimed at stimulating debate within the county, strong signals have emerged from the Indonesian government that a relaxation of its raw materials export ban will occur and that bauxite and nickel (laterite) will be added to the list of allowed mining exports. On Wednesday 5th October, Acting Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and on Friday 7th October the Secretary General at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, both commented that the ban could be relaxed to allow miners with smelter (& refinery) projects to export for up to five years (until 2022), whilst their projects were under construction. In a repeat of sentiment and regulations being progressed within the Indonesian government immediately prior to the Jan 2014 ban, the proposed...

The mining and quarrying industry of Jamaica put up a somewhat subdued performance in the June quarter, reported Statistical Institute of Jamaica. The final arbiter on national output Statin stated in its report that "reduced activities at the Noranda Bauxite plant in Jamaica" was responsible for this lowly performance. Noranda Bauxite's reduced activities, in turn, were a comprehensive fall-out of the reduced demand for bauxite from the United States of America. Ironically, however, bauxite mining industry's underperformance came to light at a time when the overall economy grew 1.4 per cent - an estimate more robust than initially reported. Statin's growth estimate eclipsed Planning Institute of Jamaica's forecast of 1.1 per cent growth by 0.3 percentage point. The national statistical...

India government is planning to introduce a star rating for mines by next month. There are plans to start satellite-based monitoring of mining activities across the country, said mining secretary Balvinder Kumar at an ASSOCHAM event held in New Delhi yesterday. Mineral deposits of every type including bauxite will be monitored through satellite imaginary. “If (mines)y don’t get 4 or 5 star rating they will get 2-3 years to comply. By end of November, we will finish first phase of star rating,” he said. The objective of the entire programme is to check illegal mining across the country through satelite imaginary from National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). “We are going to monitor all the mining area through the satellite imaginary. We are also going to launch mobile app where anybody can...

Anglo-African Minerals, an Irish exploration firm has announced a €200 million joint venture with a Chinese group to develop a bauxite mining project in Guinea. Anglo-African owns four bauxite licences Guinea and the firm confirmed that it had entered into the an initial agreement with the two-company consortium to develop their flagship Forward Africa Resources (FAR) project located in the Kindia and Dubreka regions. The firm headquarters in Cashel, Co Tipperary and has also engaged in sustainable development programme to benefit the local community. The Chinese consortium consists of China New Era Group and China Geo-Engineering Corporation and a new subsidiary company would soon seek listing on the Hong Stock Exchange. Commenting on the JV, chief executive James Lumley said, “This...

According to Scrap Monster China, about 4.46 million tons of bauxite was imported by China in August 2016. The import surged 22.7% from July 2016, as shown by the latest China customs statistics. This shows China is in no plan to cut down its aluminium production in recent times. The rise in August exports was mainly attributed to increasing shipments from Australia, Guinea, Malaysia, Brazil and India. Australia still remains the top bauxite supplier to China, with a shipment volume of 2.24 million tons after the drop of Indonesia and Malaysia. Australia is followed by Guinea and Malaysia with a volume of about 1 million tons and 0.51 million tons, respectively. Notably, bauxite exports from Brazil to China were also rising at a rate of 9.6% from a July 2016 to be around 429230 tons in...

According to a Mining Weekly report, Australian miner Iron Mountain Mining has acquired a 50% interest in Au Capital Mining that is engaged in bauxite exploration in New South Wales and Western Australia. Au Capital Mining owns two prospecting bauxite mining licences in the Solomon Islands and thereby, Junior Iron Mountain Mining acquired an option on the said bauxite mining projects. Iron Mountain confirmed on Tuesday that it had paid a non-refundable option fee of A$100 000 for acquiring a long option period. This will also allow them to complete extensive due diligence on Au Capital Mining and the projects. In exchange of acquiring 50% stake in Au Capital Mining, Iron Mountain issued 20-million of its own shares to Au Capital Mining’s shareholders on completion of the acquisition....

Australian Bauxite Ltd (ABx) is selling bauxite into fertiliser and cement markets at prices higher than the currently over-supplied metallurgical bauxite market. ABx's sales of Cement-Grade bauxite in 2016 to date total 42,005 tonnes. Fertiliser-grade bauxite sales are naturally seasonal and weather-sensitive but ABx has secured a sale of some 3,585 tonnes to date, with a further 1,500 tonnes to be dispatched to the customer before year-end. ABx has 90 tonnes of cement-grade bauxite undergoing testwork by a new customer with a planned large shipment of cement-grade bauxite scheduled for year-end. The mine product stockpile is currently 18,400 tonnes and growing daily for this cargo. The sale prices achieved for all sales is satisfactorily profitable and commercial-in-confidence. New...

China's total import of bauxite in the month of August declined marginally by 1.8 per cent year-on-year to stand at 4,457,660 million tonnes, while it grew 3.86 per cent during January-August period from the same period previous year, revealed the General Administration of Customs data released on September 22. Bauxite import from Australia grew 38 per cent YoY in August to total at 2,237,569mt. During January-August period, the volume stood at 13,892,367mt, up 6.86 per cent from the corresponding period last year. China's import volume of bauxite, the primary ore of aluminium, from Guinea also soared significantly to total at 1,003,287mt in August. In January-August period, the country consuming the world's lion's share of aluminium imported 6,438,286mt of the ore from Guinea. Shipment...

CBIX was down 1.2% (US$0.6/dmt), closing at US$46.0/dmt last week, with cargos originating in the Atlantic basin logged at lower prices than the previous week. With the situation in Malaysia now set to stagnate, prices remain unmoved, quoted at US$26/dmt unwashed and US$38/dmt FOB washed. Rising freight rates over the last few months have, however, translated to a slight increase in CFR prices for Malaysian bauxite, up approximately $US1/dmt over the period. Chinese domestic alumina prices jumped, with the North up 4.5% (RMB89/t) to RMB2,083 /t (US$312/t including VAT) and the South, following the North’s lead, up 2.7% (RMB50/t) to RMB1,930/t (US$289/t including VAT). Last week's price rises are attributed to the same factors as last week; smelters looking to build stocks prior to the...

Robert Nash, Chairman of Bauxite Resources Limited presented the YEAR IN REVIEW to the company shareholders. In the report he discussed the substantial changes the company went through the Financial Year ending 30 June 2016. The most significant change the company underwent was the agreement with the Yankuang Group to terminate the Bauxite Alumina Joint Venture (“BAJV”). The termination was achieved through the sale of the Company’s interests in the BAJV and in the Company’s neighbouring Fortuna tenements, to Yankuang for $7.15m together with a royalty on future sales of bauxite. Under the agreement, Yankuang also agreed to sell back its’ 8.5% shareholding in the Company for $1.15m (5.83 cents/share). Following final settlement with Yankuang in January 2016, the Company undertook a...

Domestic bauxite prices in China rose recently and are unlikely to fall back for the foreseeable, SMM predicts. Tight transport capacity due to adverse weather and strict environmental protection inspections allowed domestic mines to hike prices, SMM learned. Advance stockpiling by alumina producers for use during winter will underpin bauxite prices, SMM added.

Metro Mining Ltd has confirmed it has entered binding agreements to increase its ownership in Gulf Alumina Limited to approximately 39% of the total issued capital of Gulf. The Announcement follows Metro’s shares being placed in a trading halt on Monday. (19 Sept.) Under the agreements Metro will acquire the shareholdings of four long-term Gulf shareholders. Total cash consideration for the acquisition is approximately $8.5 million to be funded by an unsecured loan arranged on commercial terms. Following the acquisition, Metro’s cash position will be approximately $8.9 million. Metro CEO Simon Finnis says the key focus continues to be the near term development of Bauxite Hills while remaining open to bringing about the logical combination of Metro and Gulf’s projects to unlock significant...

Guizhou Province, one of China’s major bauxite producing regions, recently discovered another super large bauxite mine, local media reported. The mine, located in Daozhen County, has over 100 million tonnes of proven bauxite reserves.

Australia remains the biggest winner in competing bauxite market share in China, while imports from Malaysia, the once big supplier, was hit badly by local mining ban, SMM learned. Australia, Guinea and Brazil remained the top three bauxite suppliers to China in July. Imports from Australia, which claimed 58.5% of total imports, surged 26.6% from June, customs data showed. Imports from Malaysia plunged 33.6% month-on-month, squeezing the country’s share to just 4.2%. China imported 3.63 million tonnes of bauxite in July, down 27.43% from a year ago, but up 3.7% from June.

CBIX fell 4.3% (US$2.1/dmt) over the week to close at US$46.5/dmt. Lower ViU-priced cargos from Brazil and Guinea failed to offset lower priced Malaysian material. In the wake of the extended Malaysian mining ban, sources close to Chinese refineries importing bauxite say they are unperturbed by the extension. This is hardly surprising, with Weiqiao rapidly closing in on supplying its import needs from partnership interests in Guinea, freeing up other exporters to satisfy the remaining refineries. Additionally, Chinese stockpiles remain high, removing any immediate threat of depletion. Malaysian prices remain unchanged on US$26 FOB unwashed and US$38 FOB washed. News from Guinea is the Weiqiao / Winning Alliance Partners (WAP) second port construction is proceeding on schedule and likely...

The Sub-Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reviewed the report of a Correspondence Group on Evaluation of Properties of bauxite and coal in light of their potential to liquefy. The Sub-Committee noted that a Global Bauxite Working Group (GBWG) has been established by the Australian, Brazilian and Chinese bauxite research groups, with the aim of ensuring that industry research on the behaviour of bauxite during shipping is aligned, globally applicable and peer reviewed. Having noted that the GBWG report would be finalized and submitted for peer review in March 2017, the Sub-Committee established a Correspondence Group on Evaluation of Properties of BAUXITE and revision of the existing individual schedules for SEED CAKE to, inter alia, consider the draft report and...

Bauxite mining on Australia’s Cape York is proving to be a boon for many members of the area’s Aboriginal population, much of which is considered economically disadvantaged. Murray Korkatain, a Wik traditional owner interviewed by local media is preparing to enter into a Local Aboriginal Person traineeship. The eighteen-month program will teach him to operate heavy equipment. “I’ve had to overcome a lot of challenges, but I’m glad that I stuck at it because I’m excited to start my traineeship,” explained Korkatain, who now works for Rio Tinto. “My motivation for work and to progress my career is to be a good role model for my children in Aurukun and others in the community.” “My advice for others in Aurukun is to grab opportunities and give it a go. It’s not easy but it’s worth it,” he...