Our History
The Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée shipped its first bauxite shipments in 1973. However, its institutional origins date back to 1963, the year it was established as part of the development and organized exploitation of the bauxite potential in the Boké region.
Since its inception, CBG has followed a path of steady and structured growth, based on a robust industrial model led by the Halco Mining consortium. This consortium brings together the Guinean government and leading international industrial partners. This strategic alliance has been a key driver in the development of the company’s production, processing, logistics, and export capabilities.
Over the decades, CBG has pursued a consistent policy of modernizing and optimizing its mining, rail, and port infrastructure. This sustained effort has significantly improved its operational efficiency and strengthened its position among the world’s leading players in the bauxite sector.
1819: Analyses conducted at the École Royale des Mines in Paris revealed the presence of an ore with a high alumina content in the Boké region.
1920: Compagnie des Bauxites du Midi, a subsidiary of ALCAN, expressed interest in the Boké deposits.
1946: The postwar period saw an increase in exploration and geological survey activities.
1955: The first drilling operations were carried out in Sangarédi.
1959: The Compagnie des Bauxites du Midi explored approximately 75% of the mining concessions, including the one in Sangarédi.
October 1, 1963: The Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée was established following an agreement signed between the Guinean government (49% of the shares) and Harvey Aluminium Co. (Halco Mining), a consortium comprising Alcoa (United States), Alcan (Canada), and Péchiney (France), which held 51% of the capital.
1965: Establishment of the Boké Development Office (OFAB), responsible for the construction and management of CBG infrastructure.
1967: Restructuring of Harvey Aluminium's ownership among Alcan, Alcoa, Martin Marietta, Péchiney, and Montecatini.
1970–1972: Construction of major civil engineering projects, including the railway line connecting Sangarédi to Kamsar.
1971–1973: Construction of the Kamsar plant, as well as the residential and industrial areas of Kamsar and Sangarédi.
January 1973: Completion of the railway line to Kamsar.
April 1973: Commissioning of the first mining excavator and departure of the first ore train from Sangarédi.
April 30, 1973: Crushing and storage operations began in Kamsar.
August 2, 1973: The first shipment of bauxite was exported aboard the Coronia, with an initial volume of 19,000 tons.
1970s: A sharp increase in Africa’s share of global bauxite production.
1993: Guinea became the world's leading exporter of bauxite.
2005: Renewal of the CBG Framework Agreement
2007: After 34 years of operation, CBG surpassed the milestone of one million tons produced in a single year.
2010: For the first time, a Guinean was appointed to lead the company
2014: Launch of a program to expand and modernize industrial facilities.
2017: Awarded triple ISO certification (ISO 9001:2015; ISO 14001:2015; ISO 18001:2007)
2022: CBG obtained Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification, confirming that its practices comply with international sustainability standards.
October 1, 2023: Celebration of 60 years of legal existence and 50 years of industrial operation.
January 29, 2025: Awarded full ASI Performance Standard certification, confirming CBG’s commitment to environmental and social governance (ESG).
2024: Production of 18,279,755 tons of bauxite, confirming its key role in the national economy.
2025: The 100th Session of the Board of Directors will be held in Kamsar
February 5, 2026: Renewal of ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications following an audit by AFNOR Certification, with zero major nonconformities.