During the first half (H1) of 2026, Guinea exported a record 114.8 million tonnes of bauxite, marking a 15 per cent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, sustained demand from China continued to drive shipments despite rising operating costs for smaller miners.
The world's largest bauxite exporter shipped 114.8 million tonnes in H1 2026. The figure, as per Guinea's Ministry of Mines data and studied by Reuters, indicates the Y-o-Y rise from 99.8 million tonnes in the corresponding period of 2025.
In the second quarter (Q2) alone, bauxite exports climbed 5.3 per cent Y-o-Y to 53.9 million tonnes, compared with 51.2 million tonnes a year earlier. Guinea additionally exported 238,563 tonnes of alumina during H1.
Among exporters, Société Minière de Boké (SMB) led with 16.95 million tonnes shipped during the quarter, followed by Chalco with 7.73 million tonnes and Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG) with 4.13 million tonnes.
China remains the dominant destination for Guinea's bauxite, accounting for around 70 per cent of total exports.
Rising costs squeeze smaller miners
Although Guinea has previously considered restricting bauxite exports with a 150-million-tonne cap to support smaller producers and improve prices, no such measures have been introduced.
Meanwhile, commodity price tracking firm Procurement Resource noted that global bauxite prices have softened in 2026 amid oversupply, with the Guinea Free On Board prices hovering at USD 38-39 per dry tonne.
Despite the record export performance, the industry is faced with mounting operational challenges such as heavy rains and higher logistics costs owing to the Middle East conflict.
As fuel prices have soared past 80 per cent, compounded by rough sea conditions, extending voyage times and pushing freight costs higher, mining and exporting bauxite is becoming a more and more challenging feat.
According to industry sources, lower-grade producers have been the hardest hit. Dynamic Mining has suspended operations, while three other smaller miners have either halted or scaled back production.
However, analysts believe Guinea's overall bauxite production is unlikely to be affected in 2026, as major producers are expanding operations and new entrants are adding capacity to offset the slowdown in smaller mines.
Note: This article is published in accordance with an article exchange agreement between Mysteel and AL Circle.
