China’s IMDTECL Launches $1bn Alumina Plant Project in Guinea

China Alumina

New alumina facility marks China’s deepening investment in bauxite-rich West Africa

IMDTECL Begins Construction of 1.2mn t/yr Alumina Plant

China’s Inner Mongolia Dian Tou Energy (IMDTECL) began building a $1 billion alumina plant in Tougnifilidy, Guinea, on 26 March 2025. The integrated facility will produce 1.2 million tonnes per year of alumina and include bauxite mining and associated infrastructure.

This development reinforces China’s strategic grip on Guinea’s bauxite reserves, which are vital for the global aluminum supply chain. The new plant aligns with Guinea’s national requirement that major miners invest in in-country refining capacity to enhance local value addition.

Guinea Rises as a Strategic Alumina Hub

Guinea remains China’s largest bauxite supplier, with shipments hitting 110 million tonnes in 2024, up 12% year-on-year. This accounted for nearly 70% of China’s total bauxite imports, underscoring the West African country’s importance in the aluminum value chain.

In response to this dependency, Guinean regulators are enforcing stricter policies, including mandating domestic alumina processing. These measures are designed to capture more downstream value and stimulate industrial development in Guinea.

Outlook: Strong Growth in West African Alumina Capacity

Market analysts expect a significant rise in Guinea’s alumina production over the next five years due to multiple plant investments. As a result, China’s reliance on raw ore imports could be partly replaced by alumina shipments, easing pressure on domestic refiners.

Meanwhile, projects like IMDTECL’s could redefine global bauxite trade flows, encouraging other nations to localize resource processing. The IMDTECL project may also influence global alumina prices and trade logistics, especially within the China–Africa supply corridor.

The Metalnomist Commentary

China's vertical integration in Guinea reflects a new era of resource diplomacy and industrial policy enforcement. As refining moves closer to the mine, emerging economies like Guinea could gain more influence over global metals markets.