Dr David Makongo, an American investor, a well known and recognized promoter of the mining sector in Africa since 2003, has challenged the bauxite world to think of giving back to Africa that has contributed so much to the world especially in the mining industry. At the 25th International Bauxite and Alumina Conference held in Miami, USA, from 25 to 27 March 2019, he took the case of Guinea and argued that there is much need for industries to be set up there.

Dr Makongo and Guinean Mining Officials

"Guinea has the world’s best quantity and qualities of bauxite. When we are talking about increasing bauxite production, I hear some panelists proposing recycling as a solution. But I'm wondering when would the creation of a bauxite refinery plant in Guinea that has given so much to the world in the mining sector be done ? In my opinion, setting up refineries, building railways, roads, mining ports and hydroelectric dams in Guinea is one of the best solutions to the increasing demand for bauxite », he suggested. Dr. Makongo who oversees the Fako Resources Bauxite Project in Guinea said setting up a refinary would help the Western World to solve immigration problems. « Are we going to continue to see young Guineans and other Africans die in the Mediterranean or in the desert because they want to go to Europe to have a better life when they have mines in their countries?", the legal mining luminary and Honorary Chairman of BFG Consulting and Services, a Guinean mining consultancy company asked. Dr. Makongo expected... « I am not looking for answers to these questions today. But I hope that the bauxite world would give a definite response to the issue of building infrastructure in the next International Bauxite conference.» he said. Speaking during the conference, the Guinean Minister of Mines and Geology, Honorable Abdoulaye Magassouba, accompanied by senior Guinean officials at the Bauxite International Conference in Miami said he did not fail to focus on the various achievements of his country, which remains the first in the production of bauxite and other minerals.

Participants at Bauxite Conference

"Guinea is the first country with the best quality and quantity of bauxite in the world. A new mining code was adopted and revised in 2013 which focuses on transparency and good governance. Guinea produces 60 million tons of bauxite a year, and has 40 billion tons of bauxite reserves," he said. The Guinean Minister said that the country has facilitated licensing procedures and a plan has been put in place to encourage local content as part of innovations in the mining sector. "Guinea is a stable country and thanks to the development of some infrastructure, the mining roads and ports, the hotels, the railways among others, it is the best country indicated to invest with all innovations, » he said. The Guinean delegation also included the Adviser to the President of the Republic on mining issues, Dr. Yamoussa Bangoura, Director General of the CPDM, Mr. Mohamed Lamine Sy Savané, Deputy Director General of Soguipami, Kakge Toure, Economic Adviser to the Minister of Mines, Mr. Bouna SYLLA, the special assistant to the Minister of Mines, Mr. Nfaly Sylla, and other mining operators of Guinean nationality.