SMB-Winning Consortium, the world's leading bauxite producer, confirms its industrial leadership and its decisive role in Guinea's economic development by announcing its participation in the 28th edition of the Fastmarkets Bauxite & Alumina Conference, scheduled for 22 and 23 April 2024 in Miami, Florida.
Guinea became the world's largest producer of bauxite in 2023, with a record production of nearly 126 million tonnes, strengthening its influence in the mining sector. SMB-Winning Consortium is a major contributor to this success by establishing itself as Guinea's leading producer and exporter of bauxite.
SMB-Winning Consortium, ten years after its creation, has a remarkable production of nearly 48 million tonnes of bauxite in 2023, consolidating Guinea's position as a world leader in bauxite production. At the Fastmarkets Bauxite & Alumina conference, SMB-Winning Consortium will be represented by a delegation composed of Ismaël Diakité, Chief Representative of the SMB-Winning Consortium and President of the Chamber of Mines of Guinea, Sheng Weixing, Head of Trading, Winning International Group, and Frédéric Bouzigues, Managing Director of Société Minière de Boké (SMB).
Ismaël Diakité will speak at a conference dedicated to SMB-Winning Consortium's contribution to the bauxite industry in Guinea. During his remarks, Mr. Diakité will highlight the Consortium's strategic approach to mineral resource management through its expertise in river logistics, demonstrating its commitment to more sustainable and efficient practices, which are essential for the future of the sector. In addition, SMB-Winning Consortium stands out for its deep commitment to Guinea's economic and social development, particularly through its initiatives that involve the construction of key infrastructure, including the port of Boké, Guinea's largest throughput multi-purpose port linking Guinea to the world, as well as the 125 km railway line between Dapilon terminal and Santou mine, increasing production while improving the safety of mining logistics. In addition, by facilitating mining in the Boké region and promoting agricultural and agro-industrial activities along the railway corridor, SMB-Winning Consortium contributes to long-term economic diversification.
SMB-Winning Consortium recognizes the importance of promoting inclusive development by considering the interests of local communities. Supporting local jobs, modernizing infrastructure, preserving the environment, and stimulating economic growth throughout Guinea are at the heart of SMB-Winning Consortium's strategy to build sustainable economic, social, and environmental legacies.
"As a strategic metal, Aluminum is essential to the ongoing ecological transition. Guinea, with its reserves, will play a critical role in this transition. Now in its tenth year of existence, SMB-Winning Consortium is in the process of positioning Guinean bauxite as a competitive mineral, ensuring Guinea's position as a leader on the world market. As the leading bauxite producer on the African continent, SMB-Winning Consortium has become a real driver of economic and social development in the region where it operates. We are also playing a decisive role in ensuring that the benefits of this resource reach the Guinean people for generations to come." said Ismael Diakité, Chief Representative of the SMB-Winning Consortium and President of the Chamber of Mines of Guinea.
Bauxite, as the primary source of environmentally sustainable metal aluminum, plays a crucial role in the global transition towards ecological development. Acknowledging its significance, SMB-Winning Consortium stands at the forefront of environmentally friendly mining practices, dedicated to enhancing the well-being of local communities and ensuring a sustainable future for all.
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About SMB-Winning Consortium
In 2015, Winning, in collaboration with China Shandong Weiqiao Group, Yantai Port Group of China Shandong Province Port Group and Guinea UMS, established SMB-Winning Consortium, entering into bauxite mining in West Africa, Guinea. As at the end of 2023, SMB-Winning Consortium has invested a total of US$3.5 billion in infrastructure and has more than 10,000 local direct employees in Guinea. There are also more than 20,000 employees of subcontractors and service providers specifically serving the Consortium. In total, the Consortium created at least 30,000 jobs in Guinea. According to estimates by the International Monetary Fund, the Consortium’s bauxite project contributes 6% to 7% to Guinea’s GDP. With the success of SMB-Winning Consortium's project, Guinea has become one of the top producers and exporters of bauxite globally.
About Société Minière de Boké (SMB)
Founded in 2014, Société Minière de Boké (SMB) is now Guinea's leading producer and exporter of bauxite. A pioneer in the construction of road, rail and logistics infrastructure that supports the bauxite value chain, SMB's production amounts to 48 million tonnes in 2023. Today, SMB's contribution represents 36% of Guinea's national production and 39% of bauxite exports. SMB has become a key mining operator. As a true economic catalyst, SMB has enabled Guinea to become the world's leading producer of bauxite.