The Government of Guinea has selected Glencore as the offtaker for bauxite produced by Nimba Mining, the country’s state-owned miner, as authorities seek to exercise greater oversight over bauxite export volumes, reported Bloomberg.

Minister of Mines and Geology Bouna Sylla said in an interview that Glencore was selected through an international tender process.

Nimba Mining, fully owned by the Guinean state, took over the bauxite mining concession formerly held by Guinea Alumina, a subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium, in August 2025.

The change followed a disagreement regarding the construction of an alumina refinery.

Nimba Mining has exported four million tonnes (mt) of bauxite so far during the current year.

The company aims to increase that figure to between 8mt and 10mt by year-end and targets 12mt by 2027.

Sylla said: “Talks to finalise the terms of the contract are ongoing.”

Guinea exported 183mt of bauxite in the previous year, maintaining its status as the leading global supplier of the ore, which is used in the production of alumina and subsequently aluminium.

The government announced in March that it was in talks with mining companies to manage the domestic supply and protect against potential downturns in global prices.

Nimba Mining entered into a bauxite mining contract with the government earlier this week.

Sylla also stated that the company is looking to diversify into gold, iron ore and metals refining.

A newly formed subsidiary, Nimba Gold, has reached a memorandum of understanding with Resolute Mining to pursue joint gold projects.

The company plans to introduce additional operations in phases, starting with exploration work and progressing to production at a later stage.