The Guinean government is seeking to revoke the mining license of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) due to the company’s failure to fulfill its commitment to build an alumina refinery, sources close to the matter have confirmed.
The dispute between Guinea, the world’s second-largest bauxite exporter, and EGA escalated in October 2024, when the Guinean authorities suspended the Emirati company’s bauxite exports and mining operations. Guinea’s recent move to revoke EGA’s license comes after multiple warnings regarding the company’s non-compliance with its refinery construction agreement.
According to sources, the Guinean government’s decision followed EGA’s failure to meet a crucial promise to build an alumina refinery. A final reminder letter was reportedly sent to the company by Guinea’s Ministry of Mines, emphasizing the importance of securing financing for the refinery, but no response was received from EGA.
Emirates Global Aluminium, which operates in Guinea through its subsidiary Guinea Aluminium Corporation, started its operations in 2019. The company exported approximately 14 million metric tons of bauxite in 2022 alone. In May 2022, the Guinean government extended a deadline for bauxite miners to submit their refinery plans, and in June 2024, it signed a non-binding agreement with EGA for a 2 million metric ton capacity refinery to be completed by September 2026.
However, the dispute deepened after EGA declared force majeure in October 2024 following the suspension of its bauxite exports, leaving hundreds of employees furloughed.
EGA stated in a Wednesday response that it is actively working with Guinea to find a resolution and resume operations, signaling an ongoing effort to resolve the dispute. The issue highlights Guinea’s growing push for more local processing of its mineral resources, in line with the country’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic industries.