Guinea’s military-led government has revoked 129 mining exploration permits as part of its wider effort to tighten oversight of its natural resources and attract new investments. This development was reported by Reuters, citing anonymous sources.
The move is aligned with the country’s broader strategy to optimise its mineral sector, which plays a pivotal role in Guinea’s economy. According to a senior Ministry of Mines official, the government has transitioned to a digital permit system to improve transparency and control.
“We’ve simplified the process by digitising the entire system, making it easier to monitor,” the official explained, although the implications for ongoing investments remain uncertain.
A second ministry source noted that most of the cancelled permits were linked to gold exploration, with those assets now reverting to state ownership.
This is not the first such action in recent months. Earlier in May, authorities withdrew 51 mining licences that had been underutilised or dormant. These included concessions involving bauxite, gold, diamonds, graphite, and iron.
Guinea, home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves and a major supplier to China, has been stepping up its scrutiny of mining licences. The government had previously withdrawn bauxite permits from Kebo Energy and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), according to a separate Reuters report.
EGA, through its subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), has faced severe setbacks, having suspended its operations since December 2024. The company reportedly holds nearly two million tonnes of bauxite that remain unexported due to the ongoing disruption.
One key reason for the licence scrutiny appears to be unmet investment commitments. The government has warned that GAC risks losing its licence over its failure to build an alumina refinery—a condition of its agreement with the state.
Guinea’s Minister of Mines, Bouna Sylla, defended the government’s tough stance, insisting that it seeks to ensure that all parties—especially investors—honour their contractual obligations.
“This process will be pursued rigorously, within the framework of the law, while safeguarding the legitimate interests of all parties, including Guinean stakeholders,” he said.
In response, GAC has rejected accusations of non-compliance, stating it has communicated the considerable economic, technical, and environmental challenges involved in constructing the alumina refinery to the Guinean authorities.
Guinea’s actions reflect a broader trend among military-led governments in West Africa—such as those in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—who are pushing to maximise returns from their mineral wealth.
