Guinea, the largest bauxite producer in the world, plans to curb its bauxite exports in June to counter a severe global price slump, according to Bouna Sylla, the Minister of Mines and Geology.

The West African country currently supplies three-quarters of China’s bauxite imports, which reached 201 million tons last year. The rapid expansion of these shipments caused delivered prices to plunge from US$120 a ton in January 2025 to under US$60 recently.

News of the plan pushed Shanghai alumina futures up by 4.3% amid market speculation of an annual export cap of 150 million tons. Analysts warn that such restrictions could deplete the current market surplus and force the closure of some Chinese alumina capacity.

To retain more value domestically, Guinea is also pressing international miners, including Chinese state firms, to build local alumina refineries and aluminum smelters. The government intends to process at least 15% of its mined bauxite locally through five new facilities.