Aluminium manufacturers are facing a challenge that extends across the entire production chain: improving output and product quality while making better use of raw materials, energy and existing equipment. From recovering metal from complex scrap to controlling billet solidification and achieving precision in rolled products, every stage presents technical demands that influence the efficiency and economics of the final operation. Addressing these demands requires more than conventional machinery. Equipment manufacturers are developing specialised technologies to tackle problems such as low scrap recovery, surface segregation, casting defects, unnecessary metal removal and inconsistent strip flatness. Increasingly, the focus is on improving process control, reducing production losses and...
Vedanta Aluminium Metal Ltd is turning to captive bauxite supplies to manage rising raw material costs as a pricing dispute with its long-term supplier, Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd (OMCL), puts pressure on its procurement expenses. The company plans to begin production at its Sijimali bauxite mine in Odisha during the current financial year, targeting an initial output of 1 million tonnes. Vedanta received long-pending consent to operate the mine in September. Production is expected to increase to 5–6 million tonnes in FY28, with the captive resource anticipated to replace imported bauxite and reduce the company's dependence on external suppliers. The mine is expected to generate savings of approximately USD 25 per tonne, according to chief financial officer Anup Agarwal, who discussed...
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Atlanta-based world-leading aluminium rolling and recycling firm Novelis Inc. announced today, on April 8, about the receipt of the final clearance needed to complete the acquisition of Aleris Corporation, a global supplier of rolled aluminium products. Thus, it will now move expeditiously to close the buying deal. Earlier, the European Commission had governed a rule that Novelis could acquire Aleris if the former divested Aleris’ plant in Duffel, Belgium, to a third party approved by the Commission. Novelis met the condition, and therefore, the European Commission determined Liberty House Group a suitable buyer of the Duffel facility. The purchase price of the Duffel facility is €310 million. The facility will be acquired by Liberty House Group under its newly formed aluminium vertical...
The latest data from the US Geological Survey shows the United States’ exports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars increased in January 2020 after two consecutive months of decline. From 56,100 tonnes in December 2019, the export amount increased by about 22 per cent to 68,200 tonnes in January 2020. In November, the US’ aluminium semi-finished products exports were 63,800 tonnes, meaning the export amount in December was lower by 12 per cent month-on-month. Also in November, the US’ exports of semi-finished products stood down by 11 per cent from 71,400 tonnes in the previous month. Year-on-year, however, the US’ exports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars in January 2020 decreased 12 per cent from 77,400 tonnes in January 2019. The total aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports by...
The downfall in the aluminium industry could be traced back to the global financial crisis last year that forced many automobile companies and the construction projects to reduce or shut operations, resulting in demand crunch for the lightweight metal, according to Bloomberg observation. The outbreak of COVID19 has just further triggered the ailing of aluminium demand, leading to production curtails at many downstream and end-use aluminium plants. Bloomberg Intelligence suggests that since the demand was slowing down, a surplus in stocks was well expected this year, even before the current pandemic. The price has been declining as well, which is now below $1500 per tonne, making most of the world’s production unprofitable. According to Bloomberg, the industry is currently working through...
The National Investment Commission (NIC) of Iraq has announced five new investment opportunities in Iraq and it includes aluminium. Iraq’s import of aluminium bar rod and profiles during 2017-19 has shown very positive growth for the industry as the total importation volume stood at 92,972 tonnes, while the foreign income expended stood at $290.93 million. Iraq, the oil-rich country is also recovering from the civil war and needs to invest hugely in infrastructure and development and the need for aluminium will be enterprising in the sector. In 2017 the total aluminium bar rod and profiles stood at 29,719 tonnes, whereas the amount paid remained at $93.76 million. The Aluminium bar rod and profiles importation of Iraq in 2018 got a rise by 5.43%, as the total importation stood at 31,333...
Hydro’s operations in Norway, Germany, UK, France, Spain, and the USA have been certified against Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Performance Standard. The company’s primary aluminium plant Husnes and the remelters and casthouses Rackwitz (Germany), Deeside (UK), Lucé (France), Azuqueca (Spain), Henderson (USA) and Commerce (USA) have been certified against ASI Performance Standard. “We are happy to further extend our ability to deliver certified aluminium produced with high standards, responsibly and sustainably,” said Head of Hydro’s Primary Metal business area Eivind Kallevik. Hydro extends its certified operations to 59 production sites and has certified facilities all along the value chain from mining operations in Paragominas, Brazil to building systems plants such as...
ATO has escalated its transfer pricing probe into Rio Tinto's aluminium division, further complicating talks between the miner and the federal government in regards to a rescue package for Rio's three loss-making Australian smelters. In February’20 a probe was advancing into Rio's aluminium division, and Rio confirmed on Wednesday, 8 th April’20, that the probe had escalated to a formal amended assessment in March’20. The ATO accepts Rio’s Australian subsidiaries have charged an in-appropriate price for the aluminium they sold out to Rio’s arguable Singapore marketing hub between 2000 and 2016. The ATO has ordered Rio to pay $86.1 million of unpaid taxes over the aluminium matter in a separate to Rio’s long-running $447 million dispute with the ATO over the transfer pricing of Australian...
The average spot alumina price stands at RMB 2172 per tonne on Wednesday, 08 April 2020, a decrease of RMB 33 per tonne or 1.50 per cent from RMB 2205 per tonne on April 7. The alumina prices in China have decreased in all major markets, except South. The average prices of Alumina-East and Alumina-Central have reduced by RMB 35 per tonne and RMB 40 per tonne to stand at RMB 2165 per tonne and RMB 2180 per tonne. Their average prices are expected to range at RMB 2150-2180 per tonne and RMB 2160-2200 per tonne. The price in North stands at RMB 2165 per tonne, down RMB 30 per tonne. South China markets remain unchanged at RMB 2520 per tonne. After a continuous rise for the past two days in a row, A00 aluminium ingot price has declined by RMB 70 per tonne from its earlier price to RMB11640...
The Queensland Treasury has reportedly informed Metro Mining Limited that the State Government has decided to not exercise veto right regarding the Metro's Bauxite Hills Mine Expansion proposal. In late 2019, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) had announced to offer a Loan Facility of up to $47.5 million to Metro Mining for its Bauxite Hills Mine stage 2 expansion to 6 million wet metric tonnes per annum. But the key condition was the Queensland Government’s consideration of the project and its agreement for the approved funds to be advanced. The $4.75 million loan facility is supposed to fund the construction and mobilisation of a floating terminal as part of the stage 2 expansion, which is a critical part of Metro’s medium to long term growth. Metro Mining's Managing...
India has solicited consultations with the US, under the WTO's safeguard agreement, against American authorities' decision to hike import duties on derivatives of aluminium products. In January’20, the US exuded a presidential decree stating that aluminium derivatives would be subject to tariff increase. According to a communication of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India considers this measure of the US to be a safeguard measure within a provision of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and the Agreement on Safeguards. "India considers tariff increase through Presidential Proclamation on 24 January 2020 as an extension of earlier safeguard measures (announced in March 2018). <iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SCmb-oDpwFs" frameborder="0"...
The US dollar index dropped below the 100 level mark on Tuesday as risk appetite improved on hopes that lockdowns may be slowing the spread of the coronavirus in some countries and as action by central banks eased dollar strain. Three-month LME aluminium climbed to an intraday high of US$ 1,500 per tonne in late European trading hours, before it pared most of the gains to end the day 0.2 per cent higher at US$ 1,478 per tonne. As of Tuesday, April 7, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price increased sharply from US$ 1424.50 per tonne to US$ 1455.50 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price also recorded a significant rise from US$ 1460.50 per tonne to US$ 1491.50 per tonne, while Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price came in at US$ 1623.50 per...
Rio Tinto considers suspending the production at its Straumsvík smelter in Iceland for two years. The company is one of the world’s largest metal and mining corporations are considering various options to reduce its losses during the economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rio Tinto’s executives have also complained that high power costs have contributed to the company’s losses and are preparing a lawsuit against Iceland’s National Power Company. As per the report, the metal corporation is preparing a lawsuit against Iceland’s National Power Company, which is intended to release Rio Tinto from a large part of the electricity purchase obligation to which it is subject. The lawsuit also addresses alleged “product fraud” on the part of the National Power Company, which Rio Tinto...
ALUM S.A., the only calcined alumina producer in Romania, is taking actions to prevent and mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 with a focus on the safety and health of its employees and communities. The company is also implementing a comprehensive set of protocols and procedures in its alumina refinery. “Currently, the management is closely monitoring the development of this pandemic and acts with caution but with immediate and decisive actions to limit the negative impact on its employees and operations,” the company said. ALUM supports the local community fight against COVID-19 by donating RON 100,000 to Tulcea County Hospital for medical supplies and equipment, antiviral medication, ventilation and monitoring life signs systems. “We are facing exceptional conditions and we need to take...
The latesty data from the US Geological Surve showed the United States started the year 2020 with month-on-month growth in aluminium (including FRPs and scrap) exports. From 213,000 tonnes in December last year, the United States’ aluminium exports grew 8.45 per cent in January 2020 and came in at 231,000 tonnes, according to the data. In November 2019, the export amount by the US was 233,000 tonnes, which represents a downfall in December of about 8.6 per cent. In November as well, the United States' aluminium exports had declined over the month by 5.7 per cent and totalled at 233,000 tonnes. In October, however, the export amount had increased, although marginally by 1.22 per cent, from 244,000 tonnes in September to 247,000 tonnes. Compared to January 2019, the United States' aluminium...
The US exports of aluminium scrap stood at 140,000 tonnes in December 2019, according to the latest report from the US Geological Survey. Exports dropped by 7.28% from November’s export of 151,000 tonnes and 10.83% from October’s export of 157,000 tonnes. The US exports of aluminium scrap have been declining month-on-month. On a year-on-year basis, exports reduced by 16.17%. For the full year 2019, the US exported 1.86 million tonnes of aluminium scrap, an increase of 5.68% from 1.76 million tonnes in 2018. The leading destinations for aluminium scrap were China, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, India, and Mexico, receiving 17%, 16%, 15%, 15%, and 10%, respectively. China imported 316,000 tonnes of aluminium from the U.S. during January-December 2019. In December alone, imports came in at...
Aluminium du Maroc, created in partnership with Péchiney and the latter was absorbed first by Alcan and then by Rio Tinto. The company is supervised by a high level of engineers and it relies on the latest generation of technical equipment. The exceptional and the unprecedented circumstances linked to the health situation due to the n COVID-19 concluded to postpone the date of the convocation of the Board of Directors to approve the accounts of the company Aluminium du Maroc, Wednesday, 22 nd April’20. The publication of the elements of the annual financial report will follow the holding of this council. Aluminium du Maroc is the first Moroccan company specializing in the design and manufacture of aluminium alloy profiles for building and industry, as most of the production is intended...
According to a recent report, Achinsk Alumina Refinery in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, is currently using a batch of BelAZ-7555V haulers. The batch, consists of six 55-tonne haulers, was delivered to Achinsk Alumina Refinery, part of Rusal Achinsk, by Krasnoyarsk-BelAZService in March. As per the report, the Belarusian vehicles have been purchased to upgrade the fleet of mining transport and will be used at the mazoul mine in Krasnoyarsk Krai. Rusal Achinsk commented: “New haulers will help increase labour productivity and reduce costs for the technological process of raw material extraction. This equipment has high performance characteristics. It is more economical in terms of fuel and lubricants consumption. The driver's cabs have an improved view and control system, and are equipped with...
Aluminum is the world’s second-most-used industrial metal, second only to steel. Mexico’s long-running mining tradition dates back to colonial times, and despite the historically large and continuing importance of the mining industry and the fact that Mexico leads in the production of several metals and minerals. A lack of domestic bauxite mines means Mexico can't make enough aluminium domestically to meet demand, but gradually the bauxite import moves are showing positive for the nation during 2017-20. The total bauxite import by Mexico during 2017-19 stood 270,161 tonnes, whereas the total foreign revenue expended stood at $42.72 million. The bauxite import for 2020 is estimated at 141,678 tonnes, when added to the previous three years it stands at 411,839 tonnes. The Bauxite import of...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter ex-China, announced the appointment of six new members to the company's board of directors on 05 April 2020. The company said the newly appointed six Directors by the shareholder Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat) to the Board of Directors. The Chairman of Alba's Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, commented: “On behalf of myself and the newly appointed Board of Directors of Alba, I take this opportunity to express our thanks and gratitude towards His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for the trust placed in me and my fellow Directors to further develop the Company for the next stage of...
