Key Points
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Guinea begins construction of a $1.2bn alumina refinery in Boké.
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The project targets value addition beyond raw bauxite exports.
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Officials link the refinery to long-term industrial growth plans.
Guinea has launched construction of the Winning Consortium Alumina Guinea alumina refinery in Dobali, within Boké prefecture. The move marks a clear step in the country’s industrial expansion drive.
Government officials confirmed that construction work has begun. The refinery sits at the heart of Guinea’s plan to cut its dependence on raw bauxite exports. Instead, the country aims to process more minerals locally.
Senior government officials attended the launch ceremony. They were joined by diplomats, industrial partners, traditional leaders, and host communities from Boké and the wider Lower Guinea region. WCAG is developing the project in partnership with the state.
One of Guinea’s Largest Industrial Projects
The refinery will produce 1.2 million tonnes of alumina each year. The project carries a capital cost of more than $1.2 billion.
Officials described it as one of the largest industrial investments in Guinea’s history. As a result, it is expected to reshape the country’s mining sector.
By processing locally mined bauxite into alumina, the refinery will raise the value of Guinea’s exports. In turn, it will strengthen the country’s position in the global aluminium value chain.
Government representatives said the project would boost industrial capacity. They added that it would also support steady and broad-based economic growth.
Alignment With Simandou 2040 Agenda
Authorities said the refinery fits squarely within the Simandou 2040 Sustainable and Responsible Socio-Economic Development Programme. President Mamadi Doumbouya promotes the programme as Guinea’s long-term development blueprint.
The framework focuses on industrialisation, infrastructure expansion, and local resource processing. According to officials, the WCAG project advances all three goals.
By linking mining to manufacturing, the refinery anchors development in resource-rich regions. At the same time, it shifts economic activity beyond extraction alone.
Jobs, Technology, and Local Content
The WCAG refinery will use modern production systems and energy-efficient equipment. It will also apply environmental standards that align with international best practice.
Beyond alumina output, the project is expected to create jobs across several levels. These include direct employment, indirect services, and supply chain roles.
Officials said the refinery would promote local content and support skills development. Over time, they expect technology transfer to benefit workers and local firms. Most gains, they added, will center on Boké and extend across Lower Guinea.
Government Sees Shift in Development Path
Djiba Diakité, minister director of cabinet to the president and chairperson of the Simandou Strategic Committee, described the refinery as a turning point.
He said the project reflects Guinea’s move deeper into aluminium processing. More broadly, he described it as a signal of economic change.
Guinea, he said, is moving beyond its image as a mining economy. Instead, the country is positioning itself as an emerging industrial nation.
