CONAKRY/DAKAR - A train operated by Russian aluminium producer Rusal derailed in Guinea's Dubreka prefecture over the weekend, cutting rail access to its Friguia alumina refinery, halting alumina exports and slowing production, three sources told Reuters.

The train carrying alumina came off the tracks near Kagbelen on Saturday evening, injuring four people and forcing the suspension of rail traffic, two company officials said.

A senior Friguia refinery official said alumina production was continuing at a reduced pace after the accident, but could not quantify the impact.

"Exports are currently at a standstill. A team has been dispatched to the site to assess the situation and carry out repairs," the official said.

The sources asked for anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.

Rusal did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The cause of the derailment was not immediately clear and Guinean authorities had not issued an official statement as of Monday.

RUSAL FACES EXPORT DISRUPTIONS
Guinea is the world's largest exporter of bauxite, the ore used to make aluminium. Rusal operates the country's only alumina refinery, which has an installed capacity of 600 000 metric tons per year and supplies alumina to the Russian producer's aluminium smelters.

The derailment in Guinea adds to export challenges Rusal has faced since the Iran war disrupted shipping routes.

A fourth source said the incident had disrupted supplies of key production inputs, including fuel and caustic soda, which are transported between the port and the refinery by rail.

A second executive at the company and a mining analyst said Rusal had already reduced alumina output before the derailment because of fuel supply challenges.

Guinea's mining sector relies on several privately operated rail corridors linking bauxite and iron ore mines, alumina refining facilities and export terminals.

A senior transport ministry official said the derailment highlighted chronic shortcomings in railway maintenance.

After shutting in 2012, Friguia resumed operations in 2018 and has since produced about 450,000 tons of alumina a year, according to the refinery official.