Guinea Bans Raw Gold Exports to Force Domestic Refining

The Guinean government has implemented an immediate ban on the export of unrefined gold, mandating that all processing occur within the country. President Mamadi Doumbouya initiated this policy following consultations with industrial and artisanal producers, aiming to capture more value from the nation's mineral wealth and stimulate job creation. This protectionist measure represents a significant shift in Guinea's mining strategy, forcing international players to adapt to new local refining requirements. While the policy seeks to boost the economy, it faces immediate operational hurdles as the country lacks the necessary infrastructure to handle large-scale refining. The core vulnerability is the potential for the ban to disrupt supply chains and deter foreign investment if the transition to domestic refining proves too costly or inefficient.