Guinea Conde names former adviser as mines minister

Reuters reported that Guinea President Alpha Conde named Mohamed Lamine Fofana a former adviser to the prime minister, as minister of mines.

Guinea is the world's top supplier of the aluminum ore bauxite and its iron ore riches have drawn billions of dollars in planned investments from companies like Rio Tinto and Vale.

Mr Fofana has several years of experience advising on mining issues, most recently to the prime minister of Guinea's transitional government, Jean Marie Dore.

Mr Conde has been rounding out his cabinet since winning a hotly contested November 7 election that ended nearly two years of military junta rule and was billed as the former French colony's first free vote since independence in 1958.

He has already made about a dozen other cabinet appointments, but that of mines minister was seen as one of the most important.

Guinea relies on minerals for over 70% of exports, and the new mines minister will have several issues to deal with, including a review of existing mining contracts promised by Mr Conde during his campaign.

（Sourced from Reuters）