Published: scoping-review on ESIA alumina refinery Boké

Guinea holds the largest bauxite reserve in the world, the mineral that is used for the production of alumina and then aluminium. To add more value to the mining industry and to enhance the local economy, the Guinean government wants to further develop the local processing of bauxite into alumina. Winning Consortium Alumina Guinea (WCAG) is now developing a new alumina refinery in the Boké mining region of Guinea and has drafted a scoping report and the Terms of Reference for the ESIA.

As alumina refining is a new sector for the Guinean Agency for Environmental Assessment (AGEE), it has asked the NCEA to review the scoping report and the terms of reference for the ESIA for the alumina refinery in Boké.
The NCEA is positive about the technical description of the project but notes several major shortcomings. The scoping document takes account only of the industrial facilities and does not adequately cover associated infrastructure, such as ports, roads, and railways. The alternatives examined are limited to energy supply and do not include key issues, such as the storage of  red mud , the waste produced during alumina production. The project is located in an area that suffers from a structural shortage of drinking water and affects the fish population that directly support the livelihoods of local communities. This dependency on natural resources was insufficiently addressed in the scoping report. Also, the engagement of stakeholders remains a point of attention.
The NCEA recommends to provide a more thorough justification for the choice of site, incorporating all project infrastructure, broadening the analysis of alternatives, substantially strengthening the description of the environmental and social baseline, and developing a stakeholder engagement plan in line with international standards.
The advisory report, including all observations and recommendations, is available (in French) online This link opens in a new tab.