Guinea's junta leader, General Mamadi Doumbouya, has withdrawn a bauxite mining concession operated by a subsidiary of the Emirati group Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), which he then awarded to a new state-owned company, according to a series of decrees.

Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates mining giant Emirates Global Aluminium, operated one of the country's largest bauxite mines in the Boké region of northwestern Guinea.

According to a decree signed by General Mamadi Doumbouya and read out Monday evening on public television, RTG, "the mining concession granted to the company Guinée Alumina Corporation is and remains withdrawn as of the date of signature of this decree."

The Guinean authorities justified this decision by the GAC's "non-compliance" with the obligations provided for by the country's mining code, without giving further details.

Mr. Doumbouya also created a new public mining company called Nimba Mining Company SA (NMA), which is now responsible for operating the concession.

This decision comes amid tightening state control over the country's natural resources. The junta has revoked the operating licenses of dozens of foreign and local mining companies in the country in recent months.

Emirates Global Aluminium denounced "in the strongest terms" an "illegal and hostile takeover" in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the mining group, this decision follows the illegal suspension of GAC's activities since autumn 2024.

"This measure also constitutes a flagrant violation of GAC's contractual and legal rights. It jeopardizes more than 3,000 local jobs and calls into question the Republic of Guinea's respect for the rule of law," the company regretted.

General Doumbouya, who came to power by force after overthrowing civilian President Alpha Condé in September 2021, has made the exploitation of mineral resources one of his priorities.

Guinea, a West African country with rich subsoil, is considered one of the world's leading producers of bauxite, used in the production of aluminum. It also has deposits of iron, diamonds, gold, and uranium.

But the benefits of their exploitation are notoriously inequitable, largely benefiting the companies and little benefiting the population.

Experts cite insufficient investment in developing the local economy, a lack of essential infrastructure such as roads, a supposedly endemic corruption, and shortcomings in current legislation.