Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) has proposed an integrated bauxite mining and processing project worth VND 5.2 trillion (USD 208 million) in Lam Dong province, Vietnam. Currently under appraisal by provincial authorities, it is designed to produce around 3 million tonnes of refined bauxite ore annually, reinforcing raw material requirements at the Nhan Co Aluminium Plant and the planned expansion of its alumina operations. Located in the Nhan Co Cluster, the proposal spans over 6,666 hectares. Of this, approximately 5,269 hectares are earmarked for mining and around 50 hectares for the ore processing plant. The project also includes five post-processing sludge reservoirs covering about 1,120 hectares, alongside the 318-hectare Dak Buk So 8 water reservoir. A...
Aluminium production depends on high-temperature processes where furnace efficiency, thermal management and equipment durability are essential for maintaining operational performance. However, refractory materials used in melting, holding and casting operations face continuous exposure to extreme temperatures, thermal fluctuations, chemical corrosion and mechanical wear. These conditions can lead to premature furnace-lining failure, molten-metal penetration, corundum formation and heat loss, increasing maintenance requirements and operating costs. Addressing these challenges requires materials that can withstand demanding operating conditions while keeping equipment efficient and reliable. Alkegen, a supplier of high-temperature refractory and insulation materials, serves this requirement...
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Novelis says it has seen limited impact from the import tariffs on aluminium imported from other countries. Novelis, the world’s largest aluminium recycler and rolling product manufacturer, imports about one-third of its aluminium from Canada and it recovers the other two-thirds of aluminium from recycled scrap. "In the near term it wouldn't have a huge impact on the business. Unfortunately with a higher tariff that's going to mean higher prices to our customers and end consumers," said CEO Steven Fisher, during an MSNBC interview in March 2018. According to a statement made by Fiona Bell, Director, Communications & Government Affairs, North America, the company has applied for product exclusions from the Department of Commerce. "Novelis is experiencing strong demand for high-strength,...
According to the report jointly issued by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) and WAYS, the total sales of passenger vehicles are expected to register a decline of 6.6 per cent year on year in January 2019. The estimated sale is expected to stand at 2.26 million. Included in the passenger vehicle category are sedans, SUV, multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) and mini-vans. Compared to November 2018, wholesale PV volumes are expected to grow 6% in January 2019 due to seasonality and as auto-makers scurry to meet annual production and sales targets, Shanghai Metals Market reports. As the Chinese News Year approaches, shopping enthusiasm among consumers is set to increase car sales next month. In the meantime, declining retail sales and macroeconomic slowdown frustrate car dealers and prompt...
Indian aluminium producers applaud the fact that the Indian commerce ministry is in favour of raising the import duty on aluminium to support domestic manufacturers. This could come as big support for domestic manufacturers of aluminium products as the aluminium demand India is currently very strong and a restriction on import will boost domestic aluminium consumption. Discussing the impact of import duty hike, TK Chand, CMD of National Aluminium Company (NALCO) said that primary aluminium producers are in favour of hiking the import duty. He said that the Aluminium Association needs import duty on downstream products that are being diverted from China to India after the U.S. has implemented 10 per cent import tariffs on aluminium. This increased flood of semi-finished aluminium export to...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, stocks of 6063 aluminium billet across five major consumption areas in China expanded 1,400 tonnes over the week ended on Thursday, December 27, to stand at 11,000 tonnes. Weaker demand accounted for increase in billet stocks. The below chart shows the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China: Aluminium alloys (ADC12) spot price showed restraint today since December 20 at RMB 15,000 per tonne. The price is expected to range between RMB 14,900 per tonne and RMB 15,100 per tonne. Aluminium alloy (A380) price remained unchanged at RMB 15,800 per tonne. The price of aluminium alloy (A356), on the other hand, stood at RMB 14,200 per tonne, down RMB 100 per tonne from RMB 14,300 per tonne on December 26 2018. The price is expected to range...
Following the board restructuring agreement for receiving release from US sanctions, Russian aluminium giant Rusal’s board chairman Mattias Warnig resigned from his post, as per the report from Reuters. The news came after Rusal officially announced on Wednesday, December 26. The US Treasury said last week it would remove sanctions against Rusal, its parent En+ and power firm EuroSibEnergo if they restructured to reduce the controlling stakes of businessman Oleg Deripaska, who is on Washington’s sanctions list. Mr. Warning stepping down from the post after six years at the world’s largest aluminium producer outside China is one of the conditions of the deal. Warning said in a statement, “I am confident that I can hand over to my successor a successfully developed company. My mission is...
Abba Aluminium Co, a manufacturer of aluminium and aluminium extruded products in Taiwan, held a ceremony on December 24 to celebrate the opening of a new manufacturing plant in Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ), according to a report by The Myanmar Times. Initial investment amounted to US$13 million and 300-500 local employees will be hired, according to Abba’s chair Chen Pai-chin. The production value is estimated to stand at $32.5 million per year. Abba Aluminium, based in Taoyuan County, offers services, such as surface treatment, fabrication, aluminium plate processing, curtain wall assembly, and import billets and tensile testing. The company’s products include curtain wall, furnace, aluminium profiles, coating, industrial extrusion, and liquid coating. In an exclusive interview...
The US dollar index recovered to 97 on Wednesday as US stocks rebounded from Christmas, though uncertainty about the US government shutdown and Federal Reserve monetary policy remained a headwind. The LME was closed on Tuesday for Christmas and on Wednesday for Boxing Day and hence no trading took place in the exchange. LME aluminium closed the trading on 24th December at US$ 1898.50 per tonne, lowest in last two years. The contract is likely to try to regain losses made before Christmas Day, and trade within a range of US$1,880-1,910 per tonne. SME and SHFE Aluminium Price Trend The benchmark aluminium price on Shanghai Metal Exchange dropped to US$ 1966 per tonne today from US$ 1990 per tonne on December 26. A lack of confidence in longs dragged the SHFE 1902 contract at noon yesterday,...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight major consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, increased 6000 tonnes over the week ended on December 27, to come in at 1.29 million tonnes. More arrivals from smelters and smaller purchases from downstream buyers grew stocks on the week, following a week-on-week drop of 15,000 tonnes last Thursday. On last Thursday, December 27, the primary aluminium inventory in Shanghai was at 318,000 tonnes that increased 3000 tonnes over the week today to clock at 321,000 tonnes. The inventories in Gongyi and Henan, and Hangzhou and Zhejiang also increased from 73,000 tonnes to 81,000 tonnes and from 103,000 tonnes to 111,000 tonnes, respectively. Many other markets, on the other hand, saw plunges as...
Emirates Global Aluminium has welcomed the start-up of Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) new Potline 6, which has been built utilising EGA’s UAE-developed technology. EGA’s latest technology is amongst the most efficient in the global aluminium industry. Abdulla Kalban, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “I congratulate Alba on the start-up of Potline 6, and thank them again for selecting EGA technology as their partner of choice on this strategic expansion. Licensing EGA’s home-grown industrial technology in such a major project internationally is an important milestone in the development of a knowledge-based economy in line with ‘UAE Vision 2021’.” EGA said in its press release that it has developed its own aluminium smelting technology in the UAE for more than 25...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, prices of bauxite remained high as of Tuesday, December 25, buoyed by winter stockpiling across alumina producers amidst growing bauxite supplies after the output resumption at some miners in Shanxi and Henan. As of December 25, bauxite with alumina/silica ratio of 7 was offered up to RMB 700 per tonne, ex-works, in Shanxi, while materials with alumina/silica ratio of 5 were offered up to RMB 560 per tonne, ex-works, SMM learned. Owing to looser environmental restrictions compared to the previous year, miners in Shanxi and Henan with production licences recovered output from late November, which in turn, eased shortages of bauxite. According to another update from SMM, China’s largest state aluminium producer Chinalco has put one of its roasting...
According to the global export-import data, Russia’s aluminium powder and flakes exports in 2018 is estimated to see a decline compared to the last two years. As per the data, the estimated aluminium powder and flakes exports by Russia in 2016 was at 22,413 tonnes, which in the next year (2017) grew 9 per cent to 24,413 tonnes. But after a year-on-year growth last year, Russia’s estimated aluminium powder and flakes exports this year are likely to drop to 22,026 tonnes, down 2 per cent from 2016 and 10 per cent from 2017. However, despite a fall in exports volume, the revenue out of it is likely to continue to remain steady this year. Last year in 2017, Russia’s estimated aluminium powder and flakes exports revenue were at US$ 27 million after growing from US$ 23 million in 2016. This...
Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said the commerce ministry is in favour of increasing import duties on primary aluminium and aluminium scrap with a view to support local producers, PTI reports. “That is a proposal to protect our domestic industry. The proposal is under examination and we support the proposal,” Prabhu told PTI. The aluminium industry has demanded a hike in import duties on primary aluminium and aluminium scrap from 7.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent. It has demanded a hike in import duty because of the incessant growth in inward shipments of these materials. Besides, the industry has also urged the government to consider imposing minimum import price and some kind of quota on the imports for the user industry. Total production of aluminium in India...
Arksen, a soon-to-be-launched technology, and innovation company, has reportedly partnered with high-speed craft and aluminium shipbuilder Wight Shipyard Company based in East Cowes for developing, building, and supporting semi-autonomous, hybrid explorer vessels. According to the report, Arksen has also teamed up with world-renowned naval architects Humphreys Yacht Design, based in Lymington, and award-winning Fareham based interior designers, Design Unlimited for building the new vessels. The vessels are designed in such a way that will have the least impact on the environment and take adventurers to the most inaccessible corners of the world’s oceans. The report also says that Arksen has appointed Isle of Wight resident Tanya Brookfield as Executive Director. She brings expertise from...
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, MP for Juaboso and Deputy Minister for Lands and Resources, is pleading with the government to save the Atewa Forest from destruction as China’s Sinohydro Corporation prepares to build roads under the $2 billion bauxite barter deal, according to a report by MyJoyOnline. Parliament earlier this month approved agreements for the first phase of construction projects worth $640m. Construction projects are expected to commence next month. Parliament approved a $2 billion bauxite-for-infrastructure barter arrangement between the government of Ghana and Sinohydro Corporation. The agreement will allow the company to have rights on a fraction of Ghana’s bauxite resources in exchange of the country’s infrastructural development. The company will fund infrastructure projects,...
Guangxi Qiangqiang Carbon, manufacturer and distributer of pre-baked anodes and graphitized carbon products, held an expansion ceremony to expand the annual output of 200,000 tonnes of prebaked anode projects on Sunday December 23. The prebaked anode project will supply raw materials for new aluminium capacity in Guangxi province, announced at the commissioning ceremony. With an investment of 650 million yuan, the project at full production will bring annual industrial output to RMB650 million. Guangxi Qiangqiang Carbon produces aluminium electrolytic pre-baked anodes and graphitized cathodes. The company also manufactures aluminium electrolytic steel claws and casts.
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the week ended on December 20 recorded the biggest weekly decline in social aluminium billet inventories in last eight months. The inventories dropped 11,900 tonnes because of smaller arrivals and sellers destocking at the year-end. Deliveries from social warehouses, however, continued to pick up from December 24, SMM learned further. Production cuts at aluminium smelters lowered supplies of molten aluminium, which finally resulted in poor production of aluminium billet and thus, the lowered inventories. Moreover, slow deliveries of cargoes due to a shortage in transportation and logistics in Xinjiang, and high freight charges at the end of the year accounted for the limited arrivals of aluminium billet last week. This overall situation last week...
The US dollar fell against the safe-haven yen and Swiss franc on Tuesday as investors cut their exposure to riskier assets amid the partial US government shutdown and signs of confrontation between the White House and the Federal Reserve. LME aluminium contract closed Monday’s trading at US$ 1898.5 per tonne. Aluminium saw the biggest losses of some 1.3% on Monday night. Trading was closed on Tuesday due to Christmas holiday. As on December 24, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1898 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1898.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1898 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1899 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 1965 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$ 1970 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock...
The A00 aluminium ingot price continues to rise post-Christmas day, December 26, from RMB 13,630 per tonne to RMB 13,710 per tonne, marking a growth by RMB 80 per tonne, Shanghai Metals Market found. The ingot price has been rising since December 21 and today it marks the fourth consecutive hike. So far, today’s price is the highest this month. The average prices today are expected to range between RMB 13,690 per tonne and RMB 13,730 per tonne, with spot discounts to settle at RMB 110 per tonne to RMB 70 per tonne. In the east, Wuxi, the ingot price climbed RMB 60 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,685 per tonne while in Hangzhou, the price increased RMB 40 per tonne to clock at RMB 13,690 per tonne. In the south and north, the prices grew by RMB 80 per tonne and RMB 25 per tonne and stood at...
