Guinea is discussing potential alumina-refining and energy investments with Glencore following a more than $300 million bauxite agreement, its mines minister said.

The talks could expand the Swiss commodities group’s involvement in Guinea beyond bauxite marketing as the West African country seeks to develop domestic processing and diversify its investment and export partnerships, Reuters reported on September 14, 2026.

Guinea’s state-owned Nimba Mining and Glencore last week signed a bauxite pre-financing and offtake agreement under which Glencore will market between 10 million and 12 million metric tons of bauxite annually for five years.

Mines Minister Bouna Sylla said the agreement could provide a foundation for wider cooperation across Guinea’s aluminium industry.

“Glencore has indicated strong interest in growing its business in Guinea, and we are equally interested in expanding the partnership,” Sylla told Reuters over the weekend.

He said future cooperation could extend beyond bauxite to alumina refining, energy and other strategic investments. Glencore declined to comment further, Reuters reported.

The potential expansion comes as Guinea looks to move further into domestic mineral processing while reducing its dependence on a limited group of external markets.

More than 70% of Guinea’s bauxite exports currently go to China, according to Reuters. Guinea became the world’s largest bauxite producer in 2023 after overtaking Australia and began exporting iron ore from the giant Simandou project in 2025.

Chinese-linked companies also hold a controlling interest in Simandou, while Rio Tinto is the project’s other owner. Glencore held merger discussions with Rio Tinto earlier in 2026.

Sylla said Guinea’s approach is not intended to weaken its relationship with China but to broaden its international partnerships.

“China remains an important partner, but Guinea also wants stronger links with the Middle East and other regions,” he said.

The Glencore agreement follows Guinea’s recent settlement of a long-running dispute with Emirates Global Aluminium, a Middle Eastern aluminium and alumina producer.

For Conakry, the latest moves point to a broader effort to attract investment across the aluminium value chain rather than relying primarily on the export of unprocessed bauxite.