SHANGHAI, Nov 26 (SMM) – Guinea-based bauxite producer Societe Miniere de Boke (SMB), a joint venture between China’s Shandong Weiqiao Aluminum, Winning Shipping in Singapore, and UMS International in Guinea plans to spend $1.2 billion to build a railway that links its mining business with Dapilon port, Guinea’s government said.
The 135-km railway will commence operation within 18 months.
The move will also expand SMB's bauxite mine, building facilities to process bauxite into alumina, and to purchase rail vehicles, government spokesman Aboubacar Sylla said in an emailed statement on Thursday November 22.
Guinea is home to over a quarter of bauxite reserves globally, and is the biggest bauxite exporter to China.
