Guinea has reportedly cancelled the licences of up to 53 mining companies, in a move widely seen as a sign of rising resource nationalism in West Africa. According to sources quoted by Reuters, the decision affects operations in bauxite, gold, diamond, and graphite mining, though none of the firms involved are believed to be major players in the country’s mining sector.
The licence revocations come during a broader trend in the region, where military-led governments in countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have increasingly asserted control over natural resources following recent coups. While the Guinean government has not provided an official explanation, a source from the mines ministry suggested the cancellations were part of efforts to “clean up the land registry.”
Guinea is home to the world’s largest reserves of bauxite — a key raw material for aluminium — and is also a significant exporter of gold and iron ore. Despite the cancellations, the country’s major bauxite producers are expected to extract over 200 million tonnes this year, marking a 35% increase on last year’s record output.
Industry observers suggest the cancellations could be part of a regulatory shake-up aimed at improving oversight and ensuring that mining titles are being put to productive use. However, the timing and scale of the move may also serve as a warning to foreign and local operators that the government is tightening its grip on the sector.
Earlier this month, Guinea began steps to revoke the mining licence of Emirates Global Aluminium, raising further concerns about the security of investment in the country’s lucrative mineral sector.
