A ban has brought a stop to all Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) bauxite operations in Kamsar, Guinea. All other Guinean bauxite exporters are continuing to operate....
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Guinea: New Threat for Vessels Loading Bauxite
In recent months, Budd Guinea has observed a hardening in the attitude of the Ministry of Mines and Geology (MMG) personnel who carry out mandatory draft surveys on board vessels loading bauxite.
The MMG are now threatening to withhold outward clearance from any vessel which refuses to align their, and/or their surveyor’s, draft figures with their own.
To mitigate this risk, and the very considerable expense which delays in sailing may cause, we would recommend that vessels loading bauxite in Guinea’s ports (Conakry, Kamsar, Boffa, Boke etc.) appoint a surveyor to carry out initial and final draft surveys so that he can assist in communicating and negotiating with the French mother-tongue MMG surveyor to minimize any discrepancies. In case of need, our surveyors will also advise the Master on issuing letters of protest and the apposition of clauses on the MMG draft results which the vessel will be asked to sign.
In view of the liquefaction risks associated with bauxite, Budd Guinea regularly appoints surveyors to monitor cargo quality prior to and during loading in all the main mineral terminals.
Guinea is the fifth largest bauxite exporter and boasts over 23% of the world’s reserves. At this time of political uncertainty, Guinea’s military junta is keen to safeguard its economic interests.
For additional information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Budd Guinea:
Fodé Mario Camara (fode-mario.camara@budd-pni.com, mobiles +224 628 25 58 34 or +232 79 34 23 57)
Youssouf Sankhon (youssouf.sankhon@budd-pni.com, mobiles +224 626 04 00 51 or +224 656 65 32 46)