Arrow Minerals Confirms Bauxite Discovery at Niagara Project in Guinea
Arrow Minerals, an Australian mining junior, has confirmed promising bauxite mineralization results at its Niagara Bauxite Project in Guinea, following the first phase of drilling launched earlier this year. Guinea, home to the world's third-largest bauxite reserves, presents a significant opportunity for Arrow as it aims to establish a substantial deposit at the project site.
On November 25, Arrow released assay results from its initial drilling campaign at Niagara, demonstrating the presence of high-grade bauxite mineralization. With these results, Arrow Minerals hopes to become one of the significant bauxite producers in the West African country. The company is preparing to conduct a first mineral resource estimate in the coming months, which will serve as the foundation for an exploratory study expected in the first half of 2025. This exploratory study will provide initial indications of the economic viability of a potential mining operation, covering aspects such as production capacity and the required investment to establish the mine.
In addition to the exploration activities in Guinea, Arrow has begun discussions with potential customers in China regarding future bauxite sales agreements. “The Niagara bauxite project presents an excellent opportunity to create shareholder value, generate jobs in local communities, and support Arrow's goal of establishing itself as a significant new independent supplier of high-quality bauxite,” commented David Flanagan, CEO of Arrow Minerals.
Guinea, the world's second-largest bauxite producer, is also home to the third-largest bauxite reserves. In 2022, the country exported 102.28 million tons of bauxite, primarily to China. The Guinean government is also working to develop a local bauxite processing industry to boost revenue from mining activities, which accounted for 21% of Guinea's GDP and 90% of exports in 2022, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Recent increases in alumina and aluminum prices have further motivated the government to pursue local refining projects, including plans for alumina refineries in the country.
