Guinea’s military government has revoked 129 mineral exploration permits as part of a broader strategy to reinforce state oversight of the country’s rich natural resource sector.
According to officials from the Ministry of Mines, the decision aims to reclaim exploration rights linked to inactive projects, thereby freeing them for investors with active development plans. The ministry has recently digitized its permit management system, allowing for tighter supervision and streamlined processing.
Most of the canceled permits concerned gold prospecting licenses, which have now reverted to government control. This move follows an earlier withdrawal of 51 mining licenses spanning key minerals such as bauxite, gold, diamonds, graphite, and iron — many of which had seen little to no operational activity.
Guinea’s reassessment of mining licenses also included the annulment of bauxite concessions previously granted to Kebo Energy SA and Emirates Global Aluminium. The West African nation is home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves, a vital resource for the global aluminium industry with significant Chinese investment presence.
This tightening of mineral permit governance reflects a growing trend across the Sahel region, where military-led governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have implemented similar measures to assert greater control over mining operations and enhance domestic revenue from natural resources.
Guinea’s recent actions signal an increased focus on resource sovereignty and regulatory efficiency, aiming to maximize benefits from its mineral wealth and attract responsible investment under a transparent legal framework.