Guinea, Africa’s largest and the world’s biggest producer of bauxite, has renewed an exploration permit for Australian miner Arrow Minerals’ Niagara project, signalling a possible shift in the country’s hardline approach to mining licences after more than a year of regulatory uncertainty.
The renewed permit allows Arrow Minerals to resume exploration at the early-stage Niagara project, which hosts an estimated 185 million metric tons of bauxite resources grading an average 42.3% alumina, after the licence was revoked during Guinea’s sweeping mining permit review in 2025.
The decision is one of the strongest indications yet that Guinea’s military-led government is prepared to negotiate with mining companies even as it continues a broader overhaul of the country’s extractive sector.
The permit, renewed on 15 July, runs for an initial three years and can be extended twice for two years each. It covers the same area as the previous licence.
Arrow said it paid about $14,000 in government fees and taxes to secure the renewed permit and has committed to invest at least $1.51 million in exploration during the initial term, with field activities expected to begin within six months.
