Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), one of the leading infrastructure development finance institutions in Africa, has announced the official opening of the Bel Air mine in Guinea-Conakry, a high-grade bauxite mine
The official opening was attended by Alpha Conde, president of Guinea-Conakry, Abdoulaye Magassouba, minister of mines, members of parliament, ambassadors from the UK and the USA, as well as local dignitaries.
To date, more than a million tonnes of high-grade bauxite ore have been exported from the project, following completion and first shipment to China in August 2018. Alufer Mining Limited, which operates Bel Air, intends to reach a production capacity of 5.5mn tonnes per year, significantly adding to the country’s existing exports of c.35mn tonnes of bauxite.
Samaila Zubairu, president and CEO of AFC, commented, “Bauxite is a major commodity for Guinea-Conakry. Currently, exports of the mineral account for approximately 32 per cent of all exports and are, therefore, a major factor in the country’s economic growth and job creation.”
“As an investor in the project, we are delighted to report the Bel Air mine was delivered on time and on the budget, a commendable testament to the capacity and commitment of both the management of Alufer, as well as the local community who have shown strong support to this project.”
Bernie Pryor, CEO of Alufer Mining, noted that the company’s ability to achieve this is indicative of the robust construction and engineering plans, He also thanked the team and contractors involved with this project.
