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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The US dollar rose to the highest in two weeks after Federal Reserve vice chairman Richard Clarida said that the US central bank’s interest-rate policy should be aimed at sustaining economic expansion and that gradual interest-rate hikes are the best way forward. Base metals fell across the board, aluminium dropped 1.26% The contract closed Tuesday’s trading at US$1925 per tonne, slightly higher than last closing. After the gain, LME aluminium settled below all moving averages at US$1,924.5 per tonne overnight. As the US dollar remains at highs, the contract is expected to trade US$1,920-1,940 per tonne today. As on November 27, Tuesday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1924.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1925 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at...
Africa’s biggest producer of beverage packaging Nampak is reportedly ramping up the production of aluminium cans as a response to customers’ global retreat from plastic. “Consumer sentiment against plastic packaging that cannot be recycled is very clear,” Chief Executive Officer Andre de Ruyter said. “Aluminum is a valuable metal and so people have the incentive to recycle it.” Andre de Ruyter also mentioned that the company had been putting greater emphasis on cardboard cartons and developing a type of renewable plastic lid made from sugarcane. That’s due to a growing concern about the impact of plastic on the environment, particularly on items such as single-use straws. Nampak and other container markers are able to boost aluminium can production alongside expanding into fast-growing...
According to a statement made by Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih on Monday during a mining conference in Cairo, the kingdom aims to raise its mining revenues to US$64 billion by 2030 from current US$17 billion.The kingdom has vast untapped reserves of bauxite, phosphate, gold, copper and uranium and the minerals are considered as key to the Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons. Falih also said studies indicated that the estimated value of the geological reserves in the kingdom exceed US$1 trillion. “We are seeking to develop the mining sector through the implementation of a comprehensive strategy ... and raise its contribution to GDP from $17 billion to $64 billion, with the generation of 160,000 additional jobs by 2030,” Falih said. “We...
Shanghai Metals Market research found that spot aluminium sellers across south-China markets showed reluctance this morning, on November 27, in offloading cargoes as future aluminium prices fell in early trade. Both traders and downstream consumers were cautious in making purchases because of which the overall trades across the southern markets remained thin, SMM found. The SHFE 1812 contract declined in early morning trade while the most spot transactions in Guangdong were found at RMB 13,730 per tonne to RMB 13,740 per tonne, with Guangdong-Shanghai spread narrowed to RMB 40 per tonne. Spot transactions in Shanghai, on the other hand, were done at RMB 13,700 per tonne to RMB 13,710 per tonne with discounts at RMB 50 per tonne to RMB 40 per tonne against the SHFE 1812 contract, compared...
The Christchurch Central Library in New Zealand, which was closed to the public in 2011 after it was destroyed by Christchurch earthquake and demolished later, has been re-constructed with a new design and architecture. The new Central Library, completed in October, titled Turanga, designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects features a luminous perforated aluminium cover that wraps a series of seismically engineered unitized curtain wall. The 102,000-square-foot five stories library rests on top of a rectangular stone-clad podium detailed with expansive representations of Māori artwork. The principal facade element is a wedge-shaped aluminium perforated panel system that is modelled on the native evergreen species used for traditional Māori textiles. Each panel is approximately a...
Alumina refinery of Navratna NALCO, located at Damanjodi in Koraput District of Odisha has received the CII-Exim Bank Business Excellence Award for the year 2018 in the Gold Plus category. The Award is based on the internationally recognized EFQM Excellence Model and is considered to be one of the highest recognition in the country in the area of Business Excellence. Alumina refinery has been rated as the lowest cost producer of alumina in the World (as per Wood Mackenzie report). The refinery had clocked the highest ever Alumina Hydrate production of 21.06 lakh with 100% capacity utilization in 2017-18. Appreciating the concerted efforts made by the employees, CMD Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand conveyed hearty congratulations to NALCO Collective and said, that with new business plan in place, the...
Joel Rawlins and crew at Beercan Boards in the United States have reportedly designed to create customisable aluminium longboard skateboards from recycled aluminium. Not only so, Rawlins and crew have also added a finishing touch to their creativity with vivid powder coated colours together with laser cut grip designs. Available in different lengths and widths, the aluminium skateboards are offered depending on specific need and style. Reportedly, the starting price of the product is US$ 199. “Beercan Boards are as unique as you are. They’re strong but lightweight, made from recycled aluminum right here in the USA. And they’re super customizable: Pick any of our 9 shapes, make it any of our 10 colors. Pick from our 20 different wheel colors – you can even have all your wheels match or...
Brazil’s exports of petcoke remained almost flat year on year in 2017. The country delivered estimated 357819 tonnes of petcoke to the global markets last year.The leading destinations for total petcoke exports by Brazil last year, in descending order were South Africa, the United Arab of Emirates, the United States of America, Canada and India. According to recent estimates, South Africa was the top recipient of Brazilian petcoke in 2017. Petcoke imports increased 10% year on year to 107402 tonnes in 2017, as compared to 97856 tonnes in 2016. The import volume is expected to drop to 78015 tonnes this year. A by-product of the oil refining process Petcoke is a significant fuel for the power generation and aluminium smelting industries. Calcined petcoke, which is obtained by further...
The American Primary Aluminum Association (APAA) has urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to continue with the Section 232 tariffs on all aluminium imports, as the organization believes it is pivotal to safeguard the interests of the domestic primary aluminium producers. Mark Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of the APAA said, "The Section 232 aluminium tariffs are working. By the first quarter of 2019, due to production restarts, U.S. primary aluminium production will have increased by over 67 per cent. In order for those restarts to continue, and to better serve America's primary aluminium industry, all nations must be subject to either tariffs or quotas based on historic shipping levels.” He added that the tariffs have safeguarded the jobs and work of thousands of U.S. workers...
Preliminary estimates from Aluminum Association indicate that aluminium demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) stood at an estimated 9.6 million tonnes through September 2018, up 3% over the same period of 2017. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products was up 2.8 % to 7 million tonnes. Apparent consumption (demand less exports) in domestic markets was up 1.4% YoY to about 8.5 million tonnes. Exports of aluminium ingots and mill products from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) were up 16% over YTD 2017 to 1.2 million tonnes through Q3 2018. Imports were down 6.4% to 3 million tonnes. The Aluminum Association, in cooperation with the Aluminium Association of Canada, reported primary aluminium production in North America (U.S....
Going by Chinese consultancies AZ China and CRU’s calculations based on a local government document Reuters reports that China Hongqiao Group has been asked to close up to 550,000 tonnes of annual aluminium smelting capacity this winter. That is about equal to 1-1/2 days of aluminium consumption in China, noted AZ China Managing Director Paul Adkins. The city of Binzhou in Shandong province, where all of Hongqiao’s 6.46 million tonnes per year of aluminium capacity is located, reportedly listed pot closures at five Hongqiao smelting facilities in a document outlining winter restrictions. Some of the closures which have a total production capacity of 8.5 per cent of that of Hongqiao’s need to cut production for December and January instead of the full four-months winter heating season...
Award-winning aluminium manufacturing and installation company AB Glass has received a contract from Willmott Dixon for the design, manufacture and installation works on a new primary school project in Taunton. The aluminium systems being used for the project include AA100 curtain walling, AA720 windows and doors, and AA190 doors. Nerrols Primary School is due to open in September 2019 following a £7m development. The Swansea-based company is anticipated to start work on the project on 17 December 2018. Chris Haines, design director at AB Glass, said: “This is a very exciting project to be a part of, particularly as this new primary school will be a positive addition to Taunton’s growing population. We are thrilled to be appointed once again by Willmott Dixon, who we are proud to have a...
The US dollar traded robustly, supported by expectations of further interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve and the G-20 summit later this week when political leaders will focus on global trade tensions. The greenback index hovered above 97. Base metals increased for the most part but aluminium edged down. The contract closed Monday’s trading at US$1920 per tonne, slightly lower than last Friday. After that LME aluminium settled at the highest overnight at US$1,949 per tonne as longs entered the market near closing. It is expected to test support at the 10-day moving average and trade at US$1,930-1,950 per tonne today. The general downturn continues to grapple all LME aluminium contracts. As on November 26, Monday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1918 per tonne, LME...
German aluminium producer Trimet has reportedly reduced the production of its P1020 ingot in response to tight global alumina supply. The firm had started a gradual reduction in its output from autumn, but exactly when the ingot production started being affected is unknown. The company’s board member Thomas Reuther said, "Due to a supply-shortage on the alumina market, Trimet has temporarily reduced its production of primary aluminium by approximately 10pc. Trimet expects to resume to full capacity in early 2019.” The company’s casting production, however, remains unaffected and expected to meet all the delivery commitments, said Trimet itself. Many other European smelters were hit similarly or more by the 50 per cent output cap at Norwegian producer Norsk Hydro’s Brazilian Alunorte...
A consortium of the Societe Miniere de Boke (SMB) and Singapore’s Winning Shipping signed an agreement on Monday, November 26, with Guinea’s government for construction of the country’s first 1 million tonne per year alumina refinery. The refinery is part of a $3 billion project to develop Guinea’s bauxite industry, the largest in Africa, according to news published by Reuters. The consortium said in a statement it had signed three agreements with the government for construction of the project, which is due to start next year and is expected to be completed in 2022. In addition to the refinery, the agreements include access to new mining areas and the construction of a 135 km (83.89 miles) railway track. In a statement on Monday, production is expected to reach 10 million tonnes in the...
Backed on lowered alumina spot price for the two consecutive days, the A00 aluminium ingot price extended a plunge today by RMB 60 per tonne to RMB 13,690 per tonne, Shanghai Metals Market found. Yesterday, on November 26, the alumina spot price dropped from RMB 3131 per tonne to RMB 3119 per tonne, which further continued to plunge by RMB 25 per tonne to RMB 3094 per tonne today, on November 27. In the east and north, the alumina spot price today recorded a dip by RMB 30 per tonne to stand at RMB 3120 per tonne and RMB 3080 per tonne respectively; while in the central and south, the prices plunged by RMB 20 per tonne and RMB 25 per tonne to clock at RMB 3100 per tonne and RMB 3105 per tonne. As far as other input costs are concerned, bauxite showed no change in price from RMB 580 per...
According to a report, a Germany-based company named Strautmann Umwelttechnik presented two beverage bottle recycling machines - LiquiDrainer and BrikPress at the BrauBeviale trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, in mid-November. As told by the company, the machinery offers reliability and innovation for the emptying and compaction of PET bottles, aluminium beverage cans, and TetraPak cartons. At the mid-November trade fair, Strautmann offered information and display on the machines and said customers could get an immediate optimisation of their recycling processes. The LiquiDrainer handles full beverage containers, which can be introduced manually, by conveyor belt or forklift. Up to 10,000 one-litre (32-ounce) beverage bottles can be inserted and emptied with an hour. A fee rocker feeds the...
U.S. tariffs on imported aluminium and steel which has triggered a trade war, has shaken the global markets, easing Asia's supply-demand balance and putting pressure on prices in this region while lifting prices in the U.S. This was further worsened by the sanctions imposed upon Rusal by the U.S., which has created a supply concern among its buyers. U.S. imports of the metal decreased 10% in the January-August period from a year earlier due to sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump causing prices to go up. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, imports of aluminium and aluminium products excluding scraps dropped about 440,000 tons to stand at 3.85 million tons. In late October, spot prices for aluminium ingots on an ex-works basis stood at around US$2,400 per ton, up roughly 3%...
