A multinational joint venture that mines bauxite in Guinea is embarking on a multibillion-dollar infrastructure drive in the country.

Operations at the new refinery, railway and several mining sites are expected to begin in 2022 after bauxite exploration and mining services firm Societe Miniere de Boke (SMB) signed a US$3 billion agreement with the West African nation, according to Mining Weekly.

The 135 km railway, which will cost US$1.2 billion, is set to link operations to a river terminal, while new mining deposits with an estimated initial output of 10 million tons a year are to be pursued.

The refinery will require an investment between US$700 million and US$900 million, and will have a capacity of 1 million tons per annum.

SMB comprises Singapore’s Winning Shipping, China’s Shandong Weiqiao and logistics group UMS International. The government of Guinea has a 10% stake.

4 December 2018
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