Conakry, Guinea --- MININGREVIEW.COM --- 26 September 2011 - Bauxite or aluminium ore production in Guinea  the world's top supplier rose 5.2% year-on-year during the first half of 2011 to 9.7Mt, according to a report released in the capital this week.

The report, compiled by the country’s Finance Ministry, also revealed that alumina production had risen 31.7% to 384,000t, while diamond output had climbed 28.55% to 210,000cts, over the same period.

Guinea's economy relies heavily on its mining sector, and its resource riches have drawn billions of dollars in investment from companies like Rio Tinto , Vale and RUSAL .

An added factor in probable increased foreign investment in the country’s mining industry is the fact that it held its first free elections since independence in late 2010, ending nearly two years of military junta rule.