GUINEA MINISTRY OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
Tell us briefly about the history of the Guinean mining Mining and the role that the Ministry plays in promoting and protecting it . Guinea ’ s mineral tradition is centennial . Since ancient times , Guineans have been exploiting gold ; a fact notoriously recorded in the legendary voyage of King Kankan Moussa in 1325 to Mecca .
However , it was not until colonial times that the mining industry was developed and the minerals riches of the country discovered , uncovering in the soil :
• 40 billion tons of bauxite , at more than 40 percent content of Al203 , which represent over a third of global reserves of bauxite
• 20 billion tons of iron ore , the largest and highest grade of untapped deposit of iron ore in the world
• 700 tons of gold , and between 30 to 40 million carats of proven reserves of diamonds .
The diversity and quality of the minerals coupled with 320 km of seacoast on the Atlantic allowing for evacuation through deep-water ports has helped the development of the Guinean mining Mining .
Over the years , Guinea has risen to become both Africa ’ s largest producer and the World ’ s second-largest producer of bauxite . The mining industry accounted for about 15 percent of the country ’ s gross domestic product in 2016 . Mineral exports of bauxite , diamonds and gold accounted for 80 percent of the nation ’ s total exports in 2016 .
With the advent of its transition into a democratic state in 2010 , Guinea , through its Ministry of Mines and Geology , has undergone a series of reforms to promote transparency , accountability and sustainability in the mining Mining . The Ministry is keen on protecting and ensuring the judicious use of these resources for sustainable economic growth and development .
46 May 2017