When Emirates Global Aluminium lost its bauxite concession in Guinea in July 2025 after months of dispute over a requirement to build an alumina refinery, Conakry moved swiftly to set up Nimba Mining Company (NMC) to take over operations. Less than three months later, the state-owned firm had loaded its first shipment and is now targeting 10 million tonnes of exports in 2026, with plans for an alumina refinery by 2030. At the same time, it has partnered with Australia’s Resolute Mining to explore for gold in the country’s east. Patrice L’Huillier, NMC’s CEO since September 2025, spoke to Ecofin Agency about the early steps in building a national mining champion.

Ecofin Agency: Founded by presidential decree in August 2025, NMC inherited a mine that had been shut down for nearly a year, with teams left idle and subcontracting agreements suspended. What condition did you find the facilities in when you arrived, and how did you organize the restart?

Patrice L'Huillier: When I took the helm of NMC, I found that the bauxite mining site and port facilities were generally in good condition and had not suffered any major deterioration. This situation allowed us to immediately develop a structured action plan with a precise timeline, in line with the Ministry of Mines' goal of restarting operations before October 31, 2025. After a thorough assessment of the facilities, we determined that this scenario was realistic — and it is an objective we successfully met, and of which we are proud.

Another decisive factor was the mobilization of the Guinean teams. Despite nearly a year of inactivity, they demonstrated remarkable commitment and strong initiative in relaunching operations. We did, however, have to organize the restart progressively, prioritizing critical positions — particularly in maintenance, production, and safety.

I also want to highlight the unwavering support of the government, especially Minister of Mines Mr. Bouna Sylla and the Minister and Director of the Presidential Cabinet, Mr. Djiba Diakité. Thanks to this collective effort, just two months after NMC's creation, we loaded our first barge on October 31. On November 4, we had the honor of welcoming the government for the first vessel loading ceremony. This restart ranks among the fastest ever achieved in the mining industry at an international level.

Ecofin Agency: NMC has set an ambitious trajectory — one million tonnes to be exported before the end of 2025, then scaling up to 10 million tonnes in 2026 and 12 million in 2027. Where do things stand in executing this plan?

PL: We met the target of one million tonnes exported in 2025, relying primarily on available stockpiles. Full mining operations resumed in December 2025, and we are currently in a ramp-up phase. As part of this effort, the first mining subcontracting agreement was signed in January with Chinese firm CHICO, followed in February by a second subcontracting deal with Guinean company IBS, which specializes in blasting and crushing operations.

Our target for April is to produce 700,000 tonnes of bauxite, before crossing the threshold of one million tonnes per month starting in June 2026

Our target for April is to produce 700,000 tonnes of bauxite, before crossing the threshold of one million tonnes per month starting in June 2026. This trajectory follows a structured scale-up, targeting 10 million tonnes in 2026, 12 million in 2027, and 14 million in 2028.

Ecofin Agency: Since the bauxite concession was withdrawn from Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), speculation has circulated about a potential battle before international tribunals. However, media sources have also reported negotiations toward an amicable settlement between Guinea and EGA. To what extent is NMC involved in these discussions?

PL: This falls exclusively within the exchanges between the Government of the Republic of Guinea and EGA — NMC is not a direct party to those discussions. We naturally follow these developments closely, and I remain confident that an agreement will be reached swiftly, in a spirit of pragmatism and realism. The interests are aligned: EGA needs Guinean bauxite to supply its refinery in Abu Dhabi, and Guinea has every reason to secure balanced and lasting partnerships.

Ecofin Agency: Guinea dominates the global bauxite supply, yet the selling prices of its ore remain largely determined on Chinese markets, with a level of opacity that authorities are now seeking to reduce through a national reference index. How is NMC contributing to the development of this mechanism?

PL: Guinea is indeed by far the world's leading bauxite supplier, with particularly strong growth in export volumes in recent years — 182 million tonnes were exported last year, compared to 125 million in 2023. As part of the effort to establish a national price index, NMC is working closely with the Ministry of Mines to help it take the pulse of the market.

In practice, since every bauxite transaction is subject to approval, the authorities have detailed, real-time visibility into market dynamics — particularly in China and India — as well as shipping cost trends. NMC contributes to this effort by sharing up-to-date operational and commercial data, helping to illuminate market trends and support the development of a meaningful reference mechanism.

Ecofin Agency: On the market side, in response to the current decline in bauxite prices, Guinean authorities are preparing a framework to regulate export volumes, with the details still under discussion. To what extent does this direction affect NMC's growth plans?

PL: It is true that the Ministry of Mines is exploring the implementation of a quota system — an approach that was notably presented at the International Bauxite Conference in Miami. For NMC, this development is not likely to derail our growth trajectory. We are pressing ahead with our scale-up plan with determination, with the ultimate goal of reaching a production level of 14 million tonnes per year.

Ecofin Agency: NMC was created less than a year ago and the bauxite ramp-up is not yet complete. In this context, what justifies the decision to engage now in gold exploration with Resolute, and what role does NMC intend to play in this partnership?

PL: The strategy defined by the Guinean authorities aims to position NMC as an integrated and diversified national mining company, beyond the bauxite segment alone. The company's ambition extends not only to extraction but also to processing. The goal is twofold: to broaden the mining portfolio — notably into gold and base metals such as copper — and to progressively develop local processing activities. This approach reflects a clear intention to build a complete industrial ecosystem around the country's natural resources.

In practice, since every bauxite transaction is subject to approval, the authorities have detailed, real-time visibility into market dynamics — particularly in China and India — as well as shipping cost trends.

As part of this effort, we are already working with Resolute's teams on gold exploration projects in eastern Guinea. NMC brings to this partnership its knowledge of the terrain, its institutional relationships, and its operational expertise. Many young Guinean engineers have worked in the gold sector in neighboring countries — Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mali — and are very excited about the prospect of working in gold mining in Guinea.

Furthermore, the regional context — marked by security and regulatory challenges in some neighboring countries such as Mali — is enhancing Guinea's attractiveness for investors and industry talent. Some companies now prefer to leave those countries and reposition themselves, particularly in Guinea or Côte d'Ivoire, which offer a more stable political and security environment. Our ambition is to be fully part of this dynamic and to play an active role in it. Alongside Resolute, we plan to invest close to $10 million per year in exploration programs starting in 2026.

Ecofin Agency: You mentioned local processing earlier. As Guinea aims to build between five and six alumina refineries by 2030, what role does NMC intend to play in this effort?

PL: Beyond extraction, processing is a major strategic focus for NMC. We have therefore launched feasibility studies for the construction of an alumina refinery near the mining site. Announcements will be made shortly regarding the contracting of engineering studies, which are a prerequisite for implementing this project, which targets a capacity of approximately one million tonnes per year.

This is a long-standing project — preliminary studies were already conducted in the early 2010s and the site has been identified. Our ambition is now to move into a concrete execution phase. This initiative is fully aligned with NMC's and the government's strategy to develop local bauxite processing and generate greater added value within Guinea.

Ecofin Agency: On what timeline do you expect to complete the various milestones of this project, and what are the main obstacles to ensuring its execution?

PL: We expect the studies to take about a year and a half, followed by two to three years of construction. This gives us a realistic timeline of around 2030. What matters most is not necessarily being the first to produce alumina. Beyond the timeline, our priority is to ensure rigorous and sustainable execution of these major projects together with Guineans, with the support of the Guinean authorities.

This potential, combined with strong political will to structure the sector and create local value, positions Guinea as a particularly attractive investment destination over the medium and long term.

This potential, combined with strong political will to structure the sector and create local value, positions Guinea as a particularly attractive investment destination over the medium and long term.

We do, however, face certain challenges — particularly around human resources for highly specialized technical skills, such as mine planning and automation. While Guinean talent exists, it is currently in high demand internationally, which creates increased competition to attract and retain it. We are doing everything we can to bring those professionals back.

Ecofin Agency: Several West African mining countries are experiencing regulatory and security turbulence that has pushed investors to reposition elsewhere. What arguments can Guinea put forward in 2026 compared to the alternative destinations being explored by companies?

PL: Guinea today holds major structural advantages for investors, starting with a clear vision and a defined strategy for developing the mining sector. The country benefits from exceptional geological potential, which is the very foundation of any mining activity. Beyond bauxite, Guinea also offers significant prospects in other resources such as gold, iron ore, and base metals.

This potential, combined with strong political will to structure the sector and create local value, positions Guinea as a particularly attractive investment destination over the medium and long term.

Interview by Emiliano Tossou