Business Times Issue 104 | Compagnie Des Bauxites Guinee| July 24

CBG:
EXPLORING THE
LEGACY AND
INNOVATION OF
COMPAGNIE DES
BAUXITES GUINEÉ
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GNIE
UXITES
INEÉ
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FEATURE
EXPLORING THE
LEGACY AND
INNOVATION OF
COMPAGNIE DES
BAUXITES DE
GUINEÉ IN GUINEA
Project by:
Malvern Kandemwa
Words by:
Michelle Duncan
Guinea is a small West African
country that holds the world’s
largest reserves of bauxite, the raw
material for aluminium production.
Bauxite is a vital resource for
the global economy, as aluminium
is most used in various industries
ranging from transportation and
construction to packaging and
electronics. However, for a long
time, Guinea has been exporting
its bauxite in its raw form, without
adding much value to it locally.
This has limited the benefits of the
mining sector for the country’s development
and diversification.
This situation is changing under
the leadership of Souleymane
Traore, the CEO of Compagnie
des Bauxites de Guinee (CBG),
the largest bauxite producer
and exporter in Guinea. Traore,
who took over the helm of CBG
in 2017, has a vision to transform
the company and the industry
into a more sustainable, responsible,
and profitable one. He has
ONE OF THE KEY PROJECTS
THAT TRAORE HAS
SPEARHEADED IS THE
EXPANSION OF CBG’S
PRODUCTION CAPACITY
FROM 15M TONS PER YEAR
TO 18.5M TONS PER YEAR.
initiated several projects and initiatives
to modernise CBG’s operations,
improve its infrastructure,
optimise its supply chain,
and support local communities
and the environment.
Under the astute leadership of
CEO Souleymane Traore, CBG
has not only revolutionised the
landscape of mining operations
but also upheld a commitment
to technological transformation,
improved infrastructure,
responsible procurement, and
efficient supply chain management.
One of the key projects
that Traore has spearheaded is
the expansion of CBG’s production
capacity from 15 million tons
per year to 18.5 million tons per
year. The project completed in
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FEATURE
2021, involved upgrading CBG’s
mining equipment, railway network,
port facilities and processing
plant. The expansion has
increased CBG’s efficiency, productivity,
and competitiveness in
the global market, as well as its
contribution to Guinea’s revenue
and employment.
Another project that Traore has
championed is the development
of a local alumina refinery
in partnership with the Guinean
government and other stakeholders.
Alumina is the intermediate
product obtained from
bauxite after refining it. It then
smelted into aluminium metal.
By building an alumina refinery
in Guinea, CBG aims to add more
value to its bauxite locally, create
more jobs and skills, and reduce
its dependence on foreign markets.
The refinery project is currently
in the feasibility stage and
expected to have a capacity of 1.5
million tons per year.
Traore is also committed to making
CBG a more responsible
and sustainable company that
respects the highest standards
of health, safety, environmental
and social performance. He
has implemented several policies
and programs to ensure
that CBG operates in harmony
with its stakeholders, especially
the local communities affected
by its activities. For instance,
he has launched a community
development fund that invests
in various projects such as education,
health, water, sanitation,
and agriculture. He has also supported
the creation and training
of micro-enterprises that provide
goods and services to CBG and
other customers. Moreover, he
has promoted the preservation
of biodiversity and ecosystem
services by initiating a reforestation
campaign that aims to plant
one million trees by 2025.
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FEATURE
TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFORMATION
AND ENHANCED
PERFORMANCE IN CBG
MINING OPERATIONS
In the contemporary mining
landscape, the integration of
technology has emerged as a
pivotal driver of operational excellence
and improved performance.
Compagnie des Bauxites
de Guinée (CBG), guided by its visionary
leadership, has harnessed
the power of technology to transform
its mining operations, resulting
in heightened efficiency,
safety, and sustainability.
CBG’s journey towards technology
transformation is a testament
to its commitment to staying
ahead of the curve. Under the
strategic guidance of its leadership,
the company has embraced
a diverse array of technological
innovations, reshaping the way
mining operations are conducted.
The integration of innovative
tools and systems has streamlined
processes, enhanced data
analytics, and fostered a culture
of continuous improvement.
Technology has significantly elevated
safety standards within
CBG’s mining operations. The
implementation of advanced
sensors, wearables, and monitoring
systems has enabled real-time
tracking of employee
activities and environmental
conditions. This initiative-taking
approach to safety minimises
risks, reduces accidents, and ensures
the well-being of the workforce.
In an industry known for its
inherent hazards, CBG’s technology-driven
safety measures set a
new benchmark for responsible
mining practices.
Automation is another cornerstone
of CBG’s technology transformation.
Through the deployment
of autonomous machinery
and equipment, the company
has not only boosted operational
efficiency but also reduced reliance
on manual labour in potentially
hazardous environments.
Automated processes ensure
consistent and precise execution,
leading to improved productivity
and resource utilisation. This
streamlined approach minimises
downtime, increases throughput,
and optimises overall output.
These are some of the ways that
CBG has leveraged technology
transformation to improve its performance
and achieve its vision of
becoming a more modern, efficient,
and responsible company
that delivers value not only to its
shareholders, but also to its employees,
customers, partners, and
communities.
At the core of CBG’s technology
transformation is the utilisation of
data analytics. Through real-time
data collection and analysis, the
company gains invaluable insights
into various aspects of its operations.
These insights enable CBG
to make informed decisions, optimise
production processes, and
identify areas for enhancement.
From predicting equipment maintenance
needs to forecasting resource
requirements, data analytics
empower CBG to operate with
precision and foresight.
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SUSTAINABILITY AS A
DRIVING FORCE
CBG’s technology transformation
aligns seamlessly with its commitment
to sustainability. By embracing
energy-efficient technologies
and minimising resource
wastage, the company reduces
its environmental footprint. The
integration of technology allows
CBG to track energy consumption,
monitor emissions, and implement
eco-friendly practices
throughout its operations. This
sustainable approach not only
resonates with global environmental
concerns but also enhances
the company’s social responsibility.
CBG aims to “minimise the environmental
impact of our activities,
respect human rights, support local
communities and contribute
to social and economic development.”
Some of the sustainability
initiatives that CBG has been implementing
a Biodiversity Action
Plan to protect and restore the
natural habitats affected by mining
activities. CBG has partnered
with local and international organisations
to monitor the biodiversity
status and implement conservation
measures. Developing a
Water Management Plan to optimise
the use of water resources
and reduce the potential impacts
on water quality and availability.
CBG has installed water metres,
improved water treatment facilities,
reduced water consumption
and increased water recycling.
Adopting a Climate Change Strategy
to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and enhance resilience
to climate change impacts. CBG
has invested in energy efficiency
projects, renewable energy sources,
carbon offsetting programmes
and climate risk assessments
and promoting a Social Licence
to Operate by engaging with
stakeholders, respecting human
rights, supporting local communities,
and creating shared value.
CBG has established a grievance
mechanism, conducted social
impact assessments, supported
local development projects, and
provided employment and training
opportunities.
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CONTINUOUS
IMPROVEMENT
CULTURE
CBG’s technology transformation
embodies a culture of continuous
improvement with the
leadership’s forward-thinking approach
encouraging innovation
and the exploration of emerging
technologies. By fostering an environment
where employees are
empowered to propose and implement
tech-driven solutions,
CBG remains at the forefront of
industry advancements.
Compagnie des Bauxites de
Guinée’s journey of technology
transformation within its mining
operations and its leadership
serves as an inspiring case study
for the mining industry at large.
The company’s embrace of data
analytics, automation, and safety
measures driven by technology
has not only improved operational
efficiency but has also elevated
safety standards and sustainability
practices. CBG’s approach
exemplifies the potential of technology
to revolutionise traditional
industries, demonstrating
that harnessing innovation can
lead to enhanced performance,
responsible resource management,
and a brighter future for
both the company and the world.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
CBG
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