GUINEA’S military government has cancelled 129 mining exploration licences, taking aim at underused assets in a sweeping effort to tighten control over its vast mineral resources. The move, announced on Monday evening, was confirmed by officials at the Ministry of Mines.
Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, a senior ministry official said: ‘We’ve simplified it by digitising the whole system, which can now be better controlled.’ The official added that the cancellation is meant to free up mineral-rich land for serious investors.
Though it remains unclear whether any major companies will be directly impacted, the revocation is part of a broader campaign to reform Guinea’s mining sector and eliminate speculative or inactive concessions.
Gold exploration permits dominate revocations
A second government official told Reuters that most of the cancelled licences related to gold exploration. The affected permits have now been returned to the state, opening up opportunities for redistribution to new investors with credible development plans.
This action follows a similar purge earlier this month when 51 mining licences were withdrawn. Those permits included bauxite, gold, diamond, graphite, and iron concessions—key components of Guinea’s mineral economy.
Focus turns to Guinea’s bauxite sector
Guinea holds the world’s largest reserves of bauxite, the ore used to produce aluminium. In recent years, it has become a crucial supplier to China and other industrial economies. The government has taken aim at underperforming players in this sector too.
Earlier, it withdrew bauxite licences from Kebo Energy SA and Emirates Global Aluminium, citing inactivity and regulatory non-compliance.
Analysts say the junta is pushing for a new framework in which mining companies must either perform or forfeit their rights. The shift is meant to boost state revenue and improve oversight across the country’s mineral value chains.
Echoes of regional policy shifts in West Africa
Guinea’s clampdown reflects a growing trend across the region. Military-led governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have also begun reviewing mining deals, tightening regulation, and asserting more national control over natural resources.
The digitisation of Guinea’s mining registry is part of this shift toward transparency. Officials say it will reduce corruption, prevent hoarding of permits, and ensure that concessions only go to serious operators.
Investor concerns as state reclaims control
The latest purge of exploration licences is raising concerns among international investors about regulatory uncertainty and the stability of long-term agreements in Guinea’s mining sector.
While no legal challenges have yet been filed, some stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the cancellations affect foreign-owned ventures or trigger arbitration.
The government insists that the clean-up will ultimately strengthen the sector, inviting only those who are committed to responsible and productive mining.
