Geological and mineral occurrence report shows that the bauxite ore deposits are found within the Kasila group of meta-igneous rocks which trends in the NNW-SSE of the western-Coastal rim of Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Geological Services Department of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources along with investigations carried out in the 1970s have discovered the following bauxite deposits in Sierra Leone.
Geological and mineral occurrence report shows that the bauxite ore deposits are found within the Kasila group of meta-igneous rocks which trends in the NNW-SSE of the western-Coastal rim of Sierra Leone.
Port Loko Reports from Sieromco (1975) and Moydow (2005) show the quantity bauxite reserves (washed) of the Port Loko concession belong to SLEMCO as:
Probable reserves: 46 MMT
Indicated resources: 31 MMT
Inferred resources: 27 MMT
Total: 104 MMT.
Possible resources in Sierra Leone is estimated to 2.0 metric tonnes of bauxite.
⇒ Kambia bauxite deposit covers 297 Sq.km
⇒ Total resource estimate of approximately 200 Million tonnes
⇒ The deposit grade is averaging 45% Al2O3 and ≤ 6% SiO2.
⇒ The deposit is located approximately 125 km from Freetown.
⇒ The Great Scarcies River is a major river running across the concession in an NNE – SSW direction. A major source of water for mining and transhipment operation
⇒ Port Loko bauxite deposit covers approximately 372 Sq.km
⇒ Total resource estimate of approximately 400 Million tonnes
⇒ The deposit grade is averaging 47% Al2O3 and ≤ 6% SiO2.
⇒ The deposit is located approximately 60 km from the Capital City of Freetown.
⇒ The Rokel, Bankasoka and the Little Scarcies, are the major rivers running across the concession, a major source water for mining and production operations. Two-port infrastructures, road and rail facilities exist for haulage and transshipment purposes. These logistics facilities deposit to be economically viable for exploitation
⇒ Moyamba bauxite deposit covers approximately 367 Sq.km
⇒ Total resource estimate of approximately 250Mt
⇒ The deposit grade is averaging 45% Al2O3 and ≤ 6% SiO2.
⇒ The deposit is located approximately 120 km from Freetown.
⇒ The Gbangbaia River is a major river running across the concession. A major source of water for mining and production operations
⇒ SMHL bauxite deposit covers approximately 322 Sq.km
⇒ Total resource estimate of approximately 200 Million tonnes
⇒ The deposit grade is averaging ≥49% Al2O3 and ≤ 4% SiO2.
⇒ The deposit is located approximately 250 km from the Capital City of Freetown.
⇒ The Taia River is the major river meandering across the concession, a major source of water for mining and production operations. The Sherbro River is used for transshipment operations.
⇒ Port infrastructures are located along the banks of the Sherbro River at Nitti port. Land transportation is by haul roads with 20-30t dump trucks.
⇒ The Global Bauxite and Alumina market is expected to grow over the next decade leading to more demand for bauxite
⇒ The Bauxite and Alumina are consumed for the manufacturing of aluminum, and are used in various product applications
⇒ On an average, approximately two tons of alumina produce one ton of aluminum through an electrolytic process
⇒ China is the leading consumer of bauxite and alumina and the leading producer of aluminum, and has the highest Bauxite and alumina market share and also exports the surplus amount.
⇒ Construction industries, developing economies, industrial growth, motor vehicle manufacturers have dominated the bauxite and alumina market share
⇒ Geographically, the Bauxite and Alumina market is segmented into the US, Europe, Japan, China, South East Asia, and Africa.
⇒ The world’s key players in the bauxite and alumina industry are CHALCO, CVG Bauxilum, BHP Billiton Group, Gencor, Hindalco Industries, Glencore International, Norsk Hydro ASA, National Aluminum, Rio Tinto Alcan and many others.
⇒ Currently, Sierra Leone’s supply of bauxite in the world market is below 1% with all its bauxite resource endowment.
⇒ Sierra Leone has more than 1.5 billion tonnes of bauxite resources, approximately more than 100 years’ worth of bauxite reserves
⇒ Sierra Leone has the potential of becoming a key player in the World bauxite and alumina production and marketing
⇒ Rutile Sand Minerals
o The Sierra Leone deposit have high-grade titanium dioxide feedstocks, zircon products and rare earth minerals
o The Sierra Leone-situated rutile deposit is undoubtedly a world-class deposit of Rutile, ilmenite, zircon, and titanium dioxide minerals,
⇒ Bauxite Ores
o Mineralogical phase analysis shows SL bauxite is of 100% Tri-hydrate or Gibbsite composition; and negligible composition of monohydrate/Geothite mineral.
o Bond work index of SL bauxite proven to be below 10 kWh/ton
o Required low energy for bauxite digestion in the alumina refinery.
o SL bauxite is suitable for low-cost, low-temperature alumina processing.
o SL bauxite can be used in the production of metallurgical and non-metallurgical aluminium products
o Low total organic content and negligible mineral impurities
o Considered as one of the most favourable and best bauxite for alumina production in the world