Guinea Has Asked Bauxite Miners To Submit A Precise Timetable For The Construction Of Alumina Plants By May.

The interim government of Guinea, the world's second largest producer of bauxite, on Friday asked international mining companies in the country to submit plans to build alumina plants by May 2022, foreign media reported.

几内亚、非洲最大的铝土矿生产国sought to harness its mineral resources for economic development, forcing companies in recent years to commit to building local alumina plants to refine the ore into higher-value alumina.

The military junta that took power in a military coup last September has taken a tougher line against multinational companies, suspending all activities at a large iron ore deposit last month to clarify how guinea's interests can be defended.

The interim government said the companies affected by the alumina ultimatum, including SMB and CBG, Guinea's two largest bauxite producers, had promised to develop local alumina plants.

"Respect for the basic agreement remains non-negotiable for us," junta leader Mamady Doumbouya said in a hearing with company representatives broadcast on state television on Friday night.

He added: "You and I can't continue this stupid game that has created a huge inequality in our relationship."

The companies were asked to submit project proposals and a precise timetable for the construction of the alumina plant to the Ministry of Mines by the end of May.

Doumbouya said there would be penalties if the deadline was ignored, but gave no further details.

SMB is owned by a consortium that includes Win International Group, a Singapore-based shipping company; Hongqiao Of China, a subsidiary of Shandong Weiqiao, the world's largest private aluminium producer; and UMS International of Guinea.

CBG is 51 percent owned by Halco Mining and 49 percent by the Government of Guinea. Rio Tinto and Alcoa each hold 45 per cent of Halco, while Dadco Investments holds the rest.

The companies did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment outside regular business hours.