The new initiative was disclosed by a few sources close to the development, after market reactions affected the price of the sedimentary rock.
If actualized, Guinea would join Zimbabwe in limiting exports of one of its most lucrative minerals, primarily intended for China, according to Mines and Geology Minister Bouna Sylla.
However, as presently constituted, no conclusive decision has been made yet.
“The policy aims to regulate bauxite production to prevent a price drop and, consequently, a decrease in company revenues and tax for the government,” Sylla said in an interview.
The minister also noted that Guinea held discussions on the subject with the umbrella body of miners on March 12.
Sylla further disclosed that Guinea is pressuring investors not to surpass production levels specified in their mining plans and government agreements.
“The decision will take effect in the coming weeks and aims to align 2026 production and exports with what is outlined in the feasibility studies,” he said.
Owing to the country’s unexpected shutdowns, bauxite prices have dropped 20% to 35% from their peak in 2025, according to Tom Price, head of commodities at investment firm Panmure Liberum.
In 2025, the West African country’s bauxite exports surged by over 25% to 183 million tons, most of which were shipped to Chinese refineries.
As seen on Bloomberg, if Guinea continues with the suggested initiative, it would create more uncertainty for the aluminum industry, which is already dealing with disruptions to Middle Eastern smelters, which produce around 9% of the world’s total supply.
Guinea also expresses a strong desire for an increased domestic refining of bauxite into alumina. “The criteria the country intends to implement are objective and include on-site ore processing,” stated Sylla.
Societe Miniere de Boke, a company with shareholders including China Hongqiao Group and the Singapore-registered Winning International Group, was the foremost bauxite exporter in Guinea last year, shipping 71.5 million tons.
Following in rank were the second and third-largest producers: mines operated by China’s Aluminium Corp. and Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee, which is owned by Rio Tinto Group.
Zimbabwe’s ban on lithium concentrates
“Government remains committed to… in-country value addition and beneficiation, compliance, and accountability in the exportation of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources,” the country’s mines ministry revealed via a statement, noting that it will realign export procedures because of “continued malpractices during the exportation of minerals.”
“This review is part of a broader effort to curb leakages and enhance efficiency within our systems,” the ministry added.
Market reactions were quick, with lithium prices skyrocketing on futures exchanges in response to anticipated supply limitations.
On the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, in China, the most traded lithium carbonate contract jumped 6.07% to 178,020 yuan ($26,043) per metric ton as of 03:30 GMT the next day, after earlier spiking more than 9% to 187,700 yuan.
Some analysts worried that short-term supply shortages could spread throughout the worldwide battery supply chain.
