RUSAL donates $1.5 million worth ultra-modern bauxite analysis and quality control laboratory to Guinea

Rusal, a completely vertically integrated aluminium company has donated a bauxite quality control and analysis laboratory to Guinea. RUSAL has been operating successfully for 20 years in the Guinea mining sector.

On 12^th April 2021, the official handover of this laboratory took place in the presence of Ismaël Dioubaté, the Guinean Minister of Budget, General Toumany Sangaré, the Director-General of Customs, as well as several executives from the Ministries of Mines and Budget.

RUSAL contributed towards this ultra-modern modern laboratory to the Guinean State, as it includes the framework of its traditional support to the government and the people of Guinea.

This laboratory is the first of its kind in the country and is located in the Kamsar (Boké) sub-prefecture. The infrastructure is made up of 5 main rooms, namely a crushing room, an analysis room, a sampling room, a material room and a customs room. Its establishment intends to empower Guinea to be able to constitute reliable data relating to the volume and quality of bauxites exported from the country.

Alexandre Larionov, Managing Director, RUSAL in Guinea: “The laboratory can simultaneously perform up to 15 tests per day. This makes it possible to ensure full control of the volume and quality of bauxites exported by the Rio Nunez River as well as to establish reliable customs reports in terms of payment of export duties. The bauxite quality control laboratory is equipped with a diesel generator set as well as a water supply system, capable of operating completely autonomously, regardless of external factors.”

To secure the mooring of the boats acquired by RUSAL and intended for the taking of samples from the barges at the mouth of the Rio Nunez, a quay with a length of 380 meters was built. "RUSAL also took care of the training of the personnel: the Guinean personnel of the laboratory will follow a complete cycle of training under the supervision of the specialists of RUSAL", indicated this person in charge of the Russian mining giant, while welcoming that the work of implementation of this laboratory could be carried out, despite the difficulties related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Irina Usoltseva, Laboratory chief, after explaining the whole process of analysis and quality control of bauxite conveyed: “Thanks to this method called ‘X-ray fluorescence analysis (or SFX)’ the analysis of the bauxite is done with precision and the alumina content is quickly known.”

“Previously the chemical process which used to take 7 to 8 hours, but now with this new technology, the analysis process is done in less than 7 minutes", added Irina Usoltseva.

"On behalf of the President of the Republic, Prof. Alpha Condé, the Prime Minister, Dr Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, as well as on behalf of the entire government, I thank the company RUSAL for this gift that it has given to Guinea. I would like to say here that it is not a surprise for those who know the quality of the relations between our two presidents, Prof. Alpha Condé and his Excellency Mr Vladimir Putin ”, said Ismaël Dioubaté.

He added: “This lab is offered at a time, when our country, Guinea, is the 2nd bauxite exporter to the world. Soon we will reach 100 million tonnes. The analysis and control of the bauxites that are exported is a crucial point for improving customs revenue. I would like to reassure the Russian side, on behalf of the Guinean government, that this laboratory will operate following the required standards in this area.”

"We hope that the transfer of technology and especially training in mastering technology locally and possibly to the Russian Federation will be ensured. This is what will increase our operational capacity in terms of analysis and quality control of bauxite", requested the Guinean Budget Minister, Ismaël Dioubaté.

It should be noted that RUSAL's investments in the creation and development of this laboratory amount to more than $1.5 million.