Securing the right partners, people and equipment to efficiently execute key project deliverables will be instrumental in the successful delivery of the Guinea Alumina Project.

Bechtel is the major contractor engaged by GAC to undertake the functions of engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM). Additional trade contractors will provide goods and services to the project.

Procurement refers to the purchasing of equipment, goods and services and the packaging of work into large construction contract packages. Contract packages will be both "vertical" (i.e. one contractor provides all equipment and support components and constructs a complete facility), and "horizontal" (where several contractors construct parts of the facility, with the EPCM Contractor purchasing equipment on behalf of GAC).

The refinery site has been divided into three main contract packages:

• Tankage areas
• Balance of plant
• Steam and power plant.

The forecast schedule is a three to four year construction program (post NTP) with operation ramp-up achieved over the following two years.

Guinea Alumina Corporation will make major investments in critical infrastructure such as a bauxite mine, alumina refinery, port, rail, and roads.

Infrastructure to be developed as part of the Guinea Alumina Project includes:

• 10 Mtpa (nominal) bauxite mine
• 3.3 Mtpa (nominal), two train alumina refinery, capable of ramp-up to 3.6 Mtpa within five years, with space for expansion of a third train
• Steam and power plant to provide the refinery with necessary steam and electricity
• Materials handling jetty, bulk storage terminal and separate container quay in Kamsar
• Bauxite residue disposal area
• Road bridge over the Petoun Djiga River near the refinery site
• Water reservoir, sanitation, drainage and electricity supply to the developments.

The proposed site for the alumina refinery is approximately 349 km from Conakry by road, 124 km inland from the Port of Kamsar and 44 km west of Sangarédi. This site is within 44 km of Sangarédi, which provides an opportunity to use existing government-owned road and rail links to Kamsar.

When operating at the initial production capacity of 3.3 Mtpa of alumina, the refinery will consume approximately 10 Mtpa of bauxite. The alumina refinery design is based on two, 1.65 Mtpa process trains, with sufficient space in the refinery layout for a potential increase in future capacity to 4.95 Mtpa.

Community and environmental programs will support the infrastructure development planned in the project scope. The aim is to ensure that the project is executed with the support of the community, government and other organisations operating in Guinea.

The Guinea Alumina Corporation will use proven technologies, experienced engineers and optimal process design to build infrastructure and facilities to enable project delivery.

Engineering development has progressed to an acceptable level to support preparation of a capital cost estimate, a project schedule and an execution plan.