Aluminium in Africa explained

Aluminium in Africa originates from bauxite, and within Africa is primarily found in Guinea, Mozambique and Ghana.^[1] Guinea is by far the biggest producer in Africa, and is a world leader in bauxite production.^[2]

There are many companies involved in the aluminium trade in Africa. Principal mine and smelter operators include Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea and among others

Bauxite deposits and extraction

Africa is rich in bauxite reserves, which are used as the primary raw material in the production of aluminum. Countries with significant bauxite reserves include Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau. Bauxite mining entails extracting the ore from the ground, followed by refining operations to produce alumina, which is then smelted to produce aluminum.^[3]

Economic significance

The African aluminum sector offers economic potential. Bauxite extraction and processing contribute to job creation and income production in local areas. Furthermore, the development of aluminum smelters and downstream sectors encourages industrialization by attracting foreign direct investment and transferring knowledge. These investments not only help local economies but also promote infrastructure development, skill development, and industrial sector diversification.^[4]

Export and trade

The production of aluminum in Africa contributes to the global supply chain and export market. Aluminium is exported in a variety of forms, including ingots, billets, sheets, and extrusions, to fulfill both regional and international demand. African countries can earn foreign currency, improve their trade balance, and promote economic integration with other regions by participating in global commerce.^[5]

Environmental considerations

While the aluminum sector provides economic benefits, environmental concerns linked with its extraction and processing must be addressed. Mining activities must be carried out in an environmentally responsible manner, avoiding ecological harm and guaranteeing effective post-mining land rehabilitation. Additionally, efforts should be undertaken across the aluminum production chain to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.^[6]

Collaboration and sustainable development

Promoting collaboration among African countries and foreign partners is critical for the aluminum industry's long-term development. Sharing best practices, technical breakthroughs, and research discoveries can result in increased efficiency, lower environmental impact, and increased value addition within the industry. Collaboration also allows African countries to establish fair trade agreements, stimulate responsible investment, and ensure equitable benefit sharing among stakeholders.^[7]

Principal mine and smelter operators

Cameroon

• Ngaoundéré - railhead
• Minim, Martap - Canyon Resources
• Edéa - refinery

Ghana

• Ghana Bauxite, affiliated with Alcan
• Volta Aluminum Company (Valco)

Guinea

• Rio Tinto Alcan
• Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG) - in the Boké Region - Guinea's largest producer, affiliated with Halco Mining, which is affiliated with Alcan, Alcoa, Reynolds Metals, Pechiney, Comalco, etc.
• Alumina Company of Guinea, ACG - operating the Friguia bauxite-alumina complex at Fria^[8]
• Societé des Bauxites de Kindia SBK - state-owned, operates the Kindia mining operations; operated by Rusal (Russia Aluminium) and exports bauxite to Ukraine
• Global Alumina Products Corporation, proposed smelting operation in Conakry
• Kinia - refinery
• Sangaredi
• There are over 100 Guinean aluminium companies listed at MBendi's Bauxite:Africa:Guinea information page.^[9]

Mozambique

• Mozal - Mozambique aluminium^[10]

South Africa

• South Africa does not mine bauxite nor refine alumina; BHP operates two smelters at Richards Bay in Kwazulu Natal.

See also

• Mining
• Copper in Africa
• Iron ore in Africa
• Platinum in Africa
• Titanium in Africa
• Uranium in Africa
• List of Alumina Refineries

External links

• MBendi:Mining:Bauxite:Africa
• MBendi:Mining:Bauxite:Africa:Guinea
• Alcan't in South Africa

Notes and References

1. Web site: Worley . 2021-01-19 . Metal of choice: The role of aluminium in energy transition . 2023-06-13 . Miningreview.com . en-ZA.
2. Web site: Profiling the top four bauxite exporting countries in Africa . 2023-06-13 . en-US.
3. Web site: Aluminium, Alumina and Bauxite . 2023-06-13 . www.south32.net . en.
4. Web site: Danino . Daniel . Council Post: Building Ghana's Aluminium Empire: Leveraging Resources And Infrastructure To Become A Major Player In The Global Market . 2023-06-13 . Forbes . en.
5. Web site: Africa’s top 5 primary Aluminium producers; Aluminium Extrusion, Profiles, Price, Scrap, Recycling, Section . 2023-06-13 . alcircle . en.
6. Book: Read "The Industrial Green Game: Implications for Environmental Design and Management" at NAP.edu . en.
7. Hugon . Philippe . 2010-03-01 . Cooperation: New Players in Africa . International Development Policy Revue internationale de politique de développement . en . 1 . 95–113 . 10.4000/poldev.138 . 1663-9375. free .
8. Web site: Index . 2023-06-07 . www.railwaysafrica.com . 2023-06-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607031125/https://www.railwaysafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3381&Itemid=35 . live .
9. Web site: 6 June 2023 . Guinea – Mining: Bauxite Mining – Overview . live . 6 June 2023 . Mbendi . 6 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230506085051/https://mbendi.co.za/indy/ming/baux/af/gu/p0005.htm .
10. News: Mozambique: Mozal Suffers From South African Energy Crisis. 2008-06-10. Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo). 2017-09-07. 2012-10-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20121007010938/http://allafrica.com/stories/200806101031.html. live.