The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Rusal begins shipping bauxite from Dian-Dian

(Posted on 21/06/18)

UC Rusal, a leading global aluminium producer, is pleased to announce the completion of the first stage of development of the Dian-Dian bauxite deposit in Guinea and the commencement of ore export shipments.

During this first stage, Rusal has commissioned a mine with an annual capacity of 3 million tonnes of bauxite and has built the entire associated infrastructure to serve the mine (in particular, roads and a railway line) for the transportation and storage of ore. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, the Russian Ambassador to Guinea, Alexander Bregadze, as well as the management of Rusal.

“For the last fifteen years Rusal has remained one of the largest investors in the economy of Guinea. The mutually beneficial nature of our cooperation with the Government of Guinea, within the framework of the Dian-Dian project, continues to contribute to improving the investment climate in this West African country. The commissioning of the bauxite mine means not only the creation of new jobs and increased employment for the local population, but also new opportunities for the development of the economy of Guinea, "said Yakov Itskov, Director of the Alumina Division at UC Rusal.

Rusal owns the development rights for Dian-Dian, which is the world's largest bauxite deposit with proven reserves of 564 million tonnes. In 2015, within the framework of the investment project, RUSAL signed a multilateral agreement covering the use of the existing railway infrastructure in the province of Boké, where the Dian-Dian mine is located.This was the first such agreement between RUSAL and the Government of Guinea, with the aim of fostering a spirit of collaboration between business and the state in order to achieve the full industrial and socio-economic potential of the country.

Rusal has been operating in the Republic of Guinea since 2001, and is one of the largest foreign investors in the country. In Guinea, Rusal owns and operates the Compagnie des Bauxites de Kindia (CBK) as well as the Friguia alumina refinery complex.

In 2017 Rusal accounted for approximately 5.8% of global production of aluminium and 6.3% of alumina. UC RUSAL employs 62,000 people in 20 countries, across 5 continents. Rusal markets and sells its products primarily in the European, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, South East Asian and North American markets.