Guinea's bauxite and aluminaoutput rose in 2011, although work stoppages and softening worlddemand prevented a larger increase in production, the WestAfrican state's government said on Monday.
Bauxite production rose more than 9 percent to more than17.5 million tonnes, while alumina output rose more than 3percent to 631,000 tonnes, according to a report issued by thefinance ministry and obtained by Reuters.
Guinea is the world's largest supplier of bauxite, the oreused in the production of aluminum. The country hopes to developits resource industries after decades of political turmoil heldback investment.
A finance ministry official said the increase in aluminaproduction from RUSAL's Friguia plant, the solerefiner, was smaller than the government had hoped for.
"The reason for the (slower growth) in the alumina sector isthe many production outages at Friguia but also the decliningdemand for this product on the international market," saidfinance ministry official Emmanuel Sossouandouno.
RUSAL's Friguia plant has slowed output several times overthe year due to labour disputes, according to sources.
Below is a table showing Guinea's production of minerals,according to the finance ministry report.
2011 2010 2009
Bauxite (tonnes) 17,593,100 16,054,100 14,741,600
Alumina (tonnes) 631,000 612,200 543,700
Diamonds (carats) 235,400 311,200 417,300
Gold (ounces) 507,300 798,500 564,100
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