Guinea’s landmark CFB Railway Renovation Project, led by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), has reached a major milestone with the successful replacement of railway sleepers and ballast along the entire line—six months ahead of schedule. This marks a pivotal step in Guinea’s first large-scale railway renovation effort, improving the transport network that supports the country’s vital mining sector.
The project has seen the installation of 220,000 new sleepers, 220,000 cubic metres of ballast, and 120 kilometres of new steel rail. Once completed, the upgraded line is expected to boost annual mineral transport capacity to 71 million tonnes, representing a more than 34% improvement in operational efficiency.
The Boké railway, managed by the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG), is a strategic logistics artery for Guinea’s bauxite exports. As part of a broader initiative to optimise operations, CBG is executing a comprehensive rehabilitation of over 120 kilometres of railway, encompassing rails, crossings, and ballast, in line with the highest technical and health, safety, environment, and community (HSEC) standards. The completion target is set for July 2025.
The rehabilitation forms part of the Multi-User Project and is delivered under the supervision of dedicated CBG project managers. CRCC subsidiary CR18G is responsible for construction, while engineering consultancy Systra and control firm SGS are overseeing quality and compliance throughout the process.
In addition to engineering excellence, the project has made a significant social impact. Over 900 young people have been recruited and trained from local communities, contributing to more than one million accident-free working hours. This initiative reflects CBG’s integrated approach to industrial performance and social responsibility, serving not only its operations but also the communities and users along the railway corridor.
The Boké line itself is a state-owned asset, originally developed through Guinean government funding. It is managed by the Agence Nationale d’Aménagement des Infrastructures Minières (ANAIM), which has granted operating rights to CBG. The railway also supports third-party users, reinforcing its role as a national economic enabler.
CBG has further underscored its commitment to excellence with the recent renewal of its triple ISO certification. Following a comprehensive surveillance audit conducted in April 2025 by AFNOR Certification Group, the company successfully maintained ISO 9001:2015 (quality), ISO 14001:2015 (environment), and ISO 45001:2018 (occupational health and safety) certifications across its Kamsar and Sangarédi sites.
The audit team commended the company’s strong leadership, employee engagement, and the effectiveness of its integrated Quality, Safety, and Environmental Management System (SMI-QSE). Highlights included the alignment of CBG’s strategy with ESG principles, integration of employee well-being as a core value, and the effectiveness of its community complaint and consultation mechanisms. Notably, CBG has also obtained Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification, affirming its role in promoting a responsible and sustainable aluminium value chain.
