why west africa?
why west africa?
West africa is known for its rich bauxite deposits in guinea, sierra leone and ghana
In Sierra Leone, bauxite mining started in the sixties and presently exports several million tons per annum. The washed bauxite is considered one of the best quality ore for low temperature alumina refineries.
The Port Loko bauxite deposit may be considered an extension of the same bauxite belt which is well known in Sierra Leone. The Port Loko bauxite belt has potential of more than 600 million tons of gibbsitic bauxite and this occurs almost on the surface with little over burden.
West Africa’s Guinea is home to the world’s largest declared bauxite deposits with over 40 billion tonnes of resources. In Guinea, 4 large bauxite mines produce several million tonnes per annum, however, many good bauxite deposits are located far away from ports or jetties. Neighbouring Sierra Leone has bauxite resources of about 1 billion tonnes and enjoys much better developed infrastructure facilities. Sierra Leone also has a very stable political system and modern mining codes compared to Guinea.
Bauxite - West Africa
Increase in the demand for bauxite
The bauxite cost component of alumina production costs is determined by 3 variables:
- Mined cost or procurement price of bauxite
- Transportation cost from mine to refinery
- Bauxite to alumina conversion ratio, mainly determined by available Alminium in Ore - Alumina production costs are heavily dependent on grade of bauxite.
- Sierra Leone has Bauxite resources of ~ 1 Billion tonnes with easy access to transport and water bodies.
- Sierra Leone has political stability and modern mining codes.
- West Africa’s Guinea is home to the world’s largest declared bauxite resources with over 15 billion tonnes.
- In Guinea, 3 large mines produce between 3-13 Mtpa
- In Africa some of the resources are inaccessible due to lack of infrastructure/access.
