Afripoli

Guinea opens first gold refinery as export rules tighten

3 November 2026

President Mamadi Doumbouya inaugurated the Nimba Gold Refinery in Conakry on 1 November, Guinea’s first plant for turning mined gold into bars at home. The company gives its capacity as up to 733 tonnes a year and says gold worth about $4.5 billion a year would pass through it at half capacity. Rules introduced in July oblige all producers, from artisanal miners to companies such as AngloGold Ashanti, to refine in Guinea after a 90-day transition, and the state plans to buy up to 30% of industrial and semi-industrial output for central bank reserves. The refinery will keep value at home only if the large miners, still negotiating compliance, send their gold there.

Energy & Industry · Tags: Guinea, Nimba Gold Refinery, AngloGold Ashanti

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