Guinea has significant untapped mining potential, with some of the largest bauxite, iron ore, and gold reserves in the world. Bauxite reserves are estimated at 40 billion tons, the highest grade in the world. Iron ore reserves are estimated at 20 billion tons, also among the highest quality globally. Gold reserves are estimated at 700,000 tons. However, Guinea faces infrastructure and education challenges. The government is working to address these issues through reforms like a new mining code, master infrastructure plan, one-stop shop for mining projects, and improved governance. Overall, Guinea aims to responsibly develop its mining resources and diversify its economy.

1. Guinea Mining Overview
Consulate of the Republic of Guinea
in Los Angeles
The Honorable Jordan Garcia
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Guinea

2. GEOLOGICAL MAP OF GUINEA

3. Summary of the country’s potential : A large Potential to Unlock. World-class Deposits :
o Bauxite: Guinea holds the world’s largest
deposits; reserves are estimated to be 40
billion tones, with a grade higher than 40%.
o Iron ore: Guinea has the largest and best
untapped iron ore deposits in the world; 20
billion tons of the world-class reserves (high
grade: more than 60%).
o Gold : 700,000 tons
o Diamonds: 30 million carats, with other
untapped primary deposits.
o Base metals (nickel, copper, cobalt,
manganese...): Existing indicators need to
be confirmed by further researches.
THE MINING POTENTIAL

4. OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GUINEAN MINING SECTOR
BAUXITE
World reserves of bauxite with under 1% exploited, a high-quality bauxite with a
relatively high alumina content, of 40% to over 50%.
o The government goal is to produce
more than 27 million tons year- to-
date and more than 80 to 100 million
tons by 2020;
o The Government has adopted a
master plan for infrastructure in order
to allow cost sharing for developers
Bauxite deposits do not require complex extraction techniques; extraction
costs are relatively low.

5. OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GUINEAN MINING SECTOR
IRON ORE
o Some of the best untapped iron ore deposits: Simandou North, Nimba, Zogota, others.
o High grade deposits > 60% iron content
o Distance and lack of infastructure
GOLD
Available and unexploited gold zones
o All the Guinean gold mines are open pit exploitation
o The Birrimian gold belt still has to unlock its full potential
o Low quantities but close to the surface
o Heavy artisanal mining activity

6. 2. OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GUINEAN MINING SECTOR
DIAMOND
o Primary and Secondary Deposits
o The primary deposits: Kymberlite ( unexplored)
o Secondary deposits: current source of artisanal diamonds
o Uranium: Kissidougou-Kérouané-Mali
o Base metals (nickel, copper, cobalt, manganese...): Good indicators in the
Kakoulima mountains, Koundara, Boffa, Kissidougou-Faranah
o Rare Earths: Some serious indicators have been pointed out by geologists
in many areas of Guinea particulary Macenta-Kissidougou-Kérouané
o Graphite: Good indicators are known in Nzerekoré , Lola, Kankan and
Yomou
OTHER RESOURCES

7. Challenges in Guinean Mining
Infrastructure lacking and deteriorating, but
infrastructure is a key priority for the government. As
a result, infrastructure projects are encouraged
and facilitated through Public-Private-Partnerships.
Infrastructure
General Education Guinea’s long tradition of mining has encouraged
mining education and geological studies. Outside
the mining sector however, education is low.

8. Addressing the Issues
Reforms are being implemented to make the Guinean mining sector more
attractive and transparent :
o A mining code with a competitive tax system;
o A master plan to mutualize infrastructure to reduce the costs associated
with mining projects;
o A one-stop shop dedicated to mining projects;
o Modernization of the mining cadaster;
o A local content policy setting a clear framework;
o Available at invest.gov.gn
Guinea is in the strongest political and economic condition in its history.

9. Current Reforms
o Relaunching mining activities after the Ebola epidemic:
• Support the development of mining projects with a focus on minerals resisting to the
market downturn;
• Attract new investors for a better assessment of the country’s mineral deposits
through Public-Private Partnerships
o Keep improving the business environment:
• Modernizing the mining cadaster (New Mining cadaster launched in this month)
• Implementation provisions of the mining code
• Institutional reforms to make the mining administration more responsive to the needs
of the investors
• One stop shop (Launched in July 2016)
• Justice and security reforms
• Strengthening the dialogue between stakeholders: Government, local communities
and mining companies. (In collaboration with the NRGI, Guinea will host a Round-
Table on the Mining sector in December 2016)
Support and diversify the development of mining projects