Project: Operations

The Operations Phase will see Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) operate a 10 Mtpa bauxite mine and 3.3 Mtpa alumina refinery in Guinea. By undertaking the transformation process (refining) in Guinea, GAC seeks to deliver greater and more sustainable benefits for its Shareholders and for Guinea.

The Operations Phase of the project involves transferring of constructed facilities into production mode, and the long-term operations of the refinery. This involves mining, refining, energy generation and port operations and includes all the necessary associated support functions required to sustain operations.

To prepare the organisation to transition into Operations, there is a significant range of operations readiness activities to be undertaken, with these being scheduled to commence during the project's Construction Phase. These activities will ensure the operating organisation is well-prepared for an effective transition from construction to commissioning and ramp-up of Operations.

Key Priorities for Operations:

Health and Safety

Safety is more than a priority – it is our core value.

Safety and a culture of Zero Harm will underpin all operational readiness activities on the project and will be integral to the design, layout, installation and operation of all equipment. This safety culture will be ingrained into workplaces for GAC and the EPCM Contractor, and will extend to all contractors and sub-contractors supporting operations and maintenance of the facilities.

Engaging the Right Workforce

 

Knowledge gained through Early Works has provided Guinea Alumina Corporation with a greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in developing a world-class Operations workforce in Guinea.

Based on this knowledge, Guinea Alumina will establish Commissioning and Operations Phase targets and standards and will initially adopt a largely expatriate workforce to key leadership roles to manage activities.

Through tailored recruitment and comprehensive safety, skills, and leadership training, we are planning for an Operations Phase which will see a transition from expatriate positions to Guinean leadership and a 90% Guinean workforce.

Processing and Technology

 

Critical to Operations is the use of proven technologies, such as the Bayer Process, which has been developed and optimised over 100 years of industrial application. This well-established metallurgical treatment is used to transform bauxite into alumina. This process is used to produce the vast majority of the world's alumina refineries.

The design process selected is based on:

  • Use of proven technologies at a given capacity
  • Selection and design for ease of operation and maintenance
  • Unitised and simplified flow sheet
  • Reduced sparing for improved utilisation and capital efficiency
  • Automated operations.

The Bayer process being utilised by the Guinea Alumina Project is a well established metallurgical treatment used to refine bauxite to alumina. This process is used to produce the vast majority of the world's alumina and has been highly developed and optimised over more than 100 years' of industrial application.