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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Vasco locals have reportedly demanded strict action against the trucks transporting bauxite ore because of increasing dust pollution in the town. They have even threatened to hit the streets themselves in case they are not heard and the situation continues to prevail. The locals claim that the bauxite ore transportation by MPT has not benefitted them in any possible way but has created nuisance instead. Besides dust pollution, traffic chaos is another reason why Vasco locals are demanding for an immediate action against the bauxite ore transportation. A local says the bauxite ore is transported through the MPT to Karnataka and this is causing nuisance in the port town. Councillor Krishna Daji Salkar says he has already requested the Chief Officer to look into the matter take action...
According to the latest USGS release on Bauxite and Alumina in the Third Quarter 2018, imports of crude and dried bauxite by the U.S. in Q3 2018 were 922,000 tonnes, slightly more than the revised total in the second quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2017. Imports of crude and dried bauxite in the second quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2017 were 911,000 tonnes and 914,000 tonnes respectively. Jamaica (73%) and Brazil (18%) were the leading sources of crude and dried bauxite imports in the third quarter of 2018. For the period of three quarters from January to September 2018, the total U.S. import of bauxite stood at 2.46 million tonnes, down 60000 tonnes from 2.52 million during January to September 2017. For the full year 2017, the U.S. imported 3.43 million tonnes of...
Canada seemed to have been all ears to the tariff exemption request from the construction industry in British Columbia in November. British Columbia is the westernmost province in Canada that depends primarily on imported metal. On Wednesday, December 19, Canada reportedly announced that it would exclude some aluminium and steel imported from the US from its newest tariffs and quotas. The government said it would also give additional relief to some companies that have contractual obligations. In Canada, automakers frequently buy US steel under contract and distribute among Canadian suppliers as well as feed their own plants. However, it was not immediately clear which companies would be affected. Canada also said on Wednesday that it would give relief for steel product imports that were...
European Aluminium has appointed Emilio Braghi as the association’s Chairman. Braghi has been appointed for a two-year term starting on 1 January 2019. Emilio Braghi is Senior Vice President and President at Novelis Europe, overseeing ten European facilities for recycling aluminium and manufacturing aluminium rolled products for a number of sectors, including automotive, building, packaging and transportation. “I am delighted to be appointed the new Chairman of European Aluminium at a crucial time for our industry. During my chairmanship, ensuring a long-term vision of industrial competitiveness, sustainability and innovation while addressing global trade challenges will remain key priorities. To realise this vision, we will continue to work with policymakers and other stakeholdersto...
Noranda Alumina updates through a press release that it continues to expand the chemical grade alumina (CGA) capabilities of its Gramercy refinery in Louisiana. It has commissioned a new hydrate dryer and dense phase pneumatic conveying system during the final phase of a CGA expansion project launched in late 2017. The dryer and conveying system are state of the art technologies for the Gramercy refinery. After the expansion the refinery will have a capacity of 800,000 tonnes of CGA per year. “This new equipment, along with a new hydrate reclamation system, significantly increases Noranda Alumina’s CGA capacity while improving our operational flexibility and efficiency,” said John Habisreitinger, the company’s Executive Vice President. “The completion of this project enables Noranda...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, stocks of 6063 aluminium billet across five major consumption areas in China shrank some 11,900 tonnes over the week ended on Thursday, December 20, to stand at 108,600 tonnes. The reason for this decline could be the smaller arrivals of billets to warehouses and sellers destocking at the year end. This followed after fewer purchases for building materials expanded inventories by 2,600 tonnes last week. The billet inventories in Foshan and Guangdong dropped 7,400 tonnes to stand at 61,000 tonnes while in Wuxi and Jiangsu, the inventories dipped 200 tonnes. But in Huzhou and Zhejiang, the inventory rose by 400 tonnes from 6,200 tonnes, as on December 13, to 6,600 tonnes on December 20. The below chart indicates the current status of aluminium billet...
The US dollar index saw its largest daily percentage drop in six weeks on Thursday after the Federal Reserve signalled fewer interest rate hikes over the next two years. LME base metals traded mixed on Thursday and SHFE base metals ended in the black across the board overnight. LME Aluminium rose 0.4% and SHFE aluminium inched up 0.2%. The LME aluminium contract closed Thursday’s trading at US$ 1923.50 per tonne, lower than last closing after the contract lost momentum on the news of lifting of sanctions on Rusal. As the US dollar index fell below 97, LME aluminium traded higher on Thursday night, but ended at US$1,915.5 per tonne. With weakness in the dollar, LME aluminium is likely to rebound slightly and trade at US$1,915-1,930 per tonne today. As on December 20, Thursday, LME...
According to a report by a Romanian daily financial newspaper Ziarul Financiar, local brokerage firm Swiss Capital successfully placed 241 million shares of Romanian aluminium producer Alro Slatina through an accelerated book build (ABB). The shares sold represented a stake of nearly 34 per cent in the company and the value of the deal amounted to RON 723 million, equivalent to EUR 155 million. The transaction closed at a price of RON 3 per share, 11.5 per cent under Alro’s closing price on December 18. This summer, Alro’s major shareholder Vimetco attempted to sell a 54 per cent stake in Alro through a secondary public offering (SPO) but failed. The targeted price range in the SPO was RON 3.5-4. In the first nine months of 2018, Alro recorded a net profit of RON 203 million (EUR 43.6...
Ghana President Akufo Addo has assured his countrymen that the infrastructure deal with China in lieu of bauxite does not mean a compromise with Ghana’s sovereignty. He considers it to be a pure business transaction and the Asian giant is not going to take over various sectors of Ghan’s economy. The President said to the media on Wednesday, 19 December: “I’m aware about some anxiety among some people that we might be putting ourselves in a position of too much dependency on China. I am determined that we should use what opportunities that there are to raise ourselves out of poverty but there is no chance that I will ever preside over the loss of Ghana’s sovereignty to any foreign country.” The President has also assured that it will help Ghana to exit from the IMF programme successfully....
Reynaers Aluminium, European leader in sustainable solutions for aluminium architecture, has announced the opening of showroom in Madrid. The new facility has the latest technology in aluminium systems, home automation and digitalisation, to recreate the ideal atmosphere in which owners and architects find inspiration for their projects. The company said that the official inauguration was celebrated on November 15th.The event was led by Bert Geerinckx, Vice-President of Sales of the Reynaers Group and Carles Moliner, General Director of Reynaers Aluminium Spain. Source:www.reynaers.com A new space aimed at individuals and professionals in the construction sector (architects, developers, interior designers ...) located on Calle Alameda 12. In the Barrio de las Letras, one of the most...
The City of Ashland Mayor Steve Gilmore said that the city would open recycling bins for residents outside Ashland for $100 per year, starting from January 1, 2019. Ashland residents will be able to use the recycle bins beneath the two bridges to Ohio at no extra charge, as city residents already pay $22 per month for garbage fees. Residents in Ohio and West Virginia can participate in the change approved this week by the Ashland Board of City Commissioners. The materials that will be accepted for recycling include plastic bottles and containers; white paper, notebook paper, newspapers, and phone books and; aluminium cans and empty aerosol cans. Any other materials placed in these bins will cause the dumpster to be contaminated and, in turn, must be disposed of as regular trash. Gilmore...
As reported by Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, stood at 1.28 million tonnes as of Thursday December 20, down 15,000 tonnes from 1.295 million tonnes on December 13. As social warehouses saw more arrivals this week, the week-over-week decline in stocks was smaller than a 57,000 tonnes drop in the previous week. Compared to last Thursday, inventories in Wuxi and Jiangsu plunged by 12,000 tonnes to stand at 530,000 tonnes while that in Nanhai and Guangdong dropped by 13,000 tonnes to clock at 153,000 tonnes. Primary aluminium inventories in Hangzhou, Zhejiang and Tianjin increased by 11,000 tonnes and 3,000 tonnes and stood at 103,000 tonnes and 57,000 tonnes respectively.
2018 has been Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s first year of implementation as an independent third-party certification program for the global aluminium value chain. The organization continued adding new and significant members to its certification program from all over the world and from different segments of the aluminium value chain while reiterating their commitments towards sustainability in aluminium. The organization increased outreach and engagement in China in 2018. 10 ASI Certifications have been issued in the first 12 months, covering all parts of the aluminium value chain. 18 educational modules from ASI are now available on YouTube and it has delivered training to more than 100 people. Daniel Weston, ASI Board Chair, says "ASI’s purpose is to make a difference, and that...
Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) has opened environment resource centre for residents in Taman Tangling, Simpang Ampat, near Nibong Tebal, according to a report by The Star Online. The centre, which has started functioning on November 4, would be open on the first Sunday of each month to collect the recyclable items. MPSP president Datuk Rozali Mohamud said the centre has already collected 180kg of papers, plastics, metal, tin, aluminium and glass bottles. Ninety participants were provided with QR code stickers. “Using a smart phone, the barcode on the sticker will be scanned and the details will be recorded. “Those with points can be used to redeem exclusive items,” Datuk Rozali Mohamud told reporters after opening the centre recently. Rozali also thanked Bukit Tambun assemblyman...
As aluminium scrap remains a significant resource for the production of secondary aluminium and subsequently new aluminium products across the world, France’s exports of scrap see a steady market trend year over year. In 2018, France’s aluminium scrap exports are estimated to see growth from 459,678 tonnes in 2017 to 468,484 tonne in 2018, up 2 per cent. In 2016, the estimated aluminium scrap exports volume by France was even higher at 471,203 tonnes, 2.5 per cent more than in 2017 and 1 per cent more than in 2018. Italy consumes the largest chunk of aluminium scrap export by France. According to the international export-import data, Italy’s aluminium scrap import from France in 2018 is likely to be at 105,502 tonnes against 104,718 tonnes in 2017, up 1 per cent. In 2016, Italy’s...
Kobelco Aluminum Products & Extrusions Inc. which opened an extrusion plant for the automotive sector in Bowling Green, Kentucky in in February 2017 will expand the plant with a US$42 million investment, adding 90 new jobs and increasing overall Kentucky investment to US$95 million. Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin announced this yesterday. “This major expansion by Kobelco underscores that Kentucky is the nation’s leader in both aluminium and automotive-related production,” Gov. Bevin said. He also reiterated their commitments to support the growth of existing employers like Kobelco. With the expansion, Kobelco would add a new melting furnace, extrusion press and fabrication equipment, the construction of which will start in January 2019 and production in the expanded operation is expected in...
Alcoa Corporation announced that the company will cut half of the one operating potline’s 138,000 tonnes per year capacity at the Aluminerie de Bécancour Inc. (ABI) smelter in Québec, Canada. Alcoa owns 75 per cent of the aluminium smelter and Rio Tinto Alcan owns the remainder. The Bécancour aluminium smelter has nameplate capacity of 413,000 tonnes per year, across its three potlines. “Two of the facility’s potlines were curtailed on January 11, 2018, after union members rejected a proposed labor agreement for hourly employees. Since the lockout, ABI’s salaried employees have operated the one potline, performed maintenance, restored stability and improved metal quality, Alcoa said on Wednesday. Alcoa said the additional curtailment is necessary to ensure continued safety and maintenance...
According to a press release from Aluminium Closures Group , Mundus Vini Summer Tasting 2018 festival highlighted widespread use of aluminium closures for high quality, premiered wines across all categories. Wines with aluminium closures snatched up awards in all categories. The event saw about 4,311 wines from all over the world being blind tasted, reviewed and rated by 175 expert judges from 40 countries. Of the nine Grand Gold top award winners, two wines used aluminium closures. Among the Gold medals 21%, were using aluminium closures. For Silver awardees, 22% were sealed with aluminium screw caps. Out of the total of 1572 winning still wines, 342 wines or about 22% had the modern screw cap as a preferred closure. A recent research released by Euromonitor and IWSR also claims that...
