Nimba Mining Company SA has appointed Patrice L'Huillier as Director General and Djiba Diakité as Chairman of the Board of Directors, with both appointments confirmed through separate presidential decrees. The announcement was made on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a national television news broadcast. L'Huillier, a civil engineer specialising in bridges and roads, will serve as Director General for an initial three-year term, which is renewable. According to his appointment decree, he will work under a performance contract with the Ministry of Mines and Geology. The contract will establish his objectives, the methods for assessing his performance and his obligations regarding the transfer of skills to national staff. In a separate decree, Diakité, Minister Director of the Cabinet of...
India’s trade deficit with China crossed USD 100 billion in the first nine months of 2026 as imports continued to outpace exports, with aluminium trade data showing a widening imbalance in the latest available period. While India’s overall exports to China recorded strong growth between January and September, the value of its aluminium exports to the neighbouring country declined year on year through July, even as aluminium imports from China increased. Data released by China’s General Administration of Customs showed that bilateral trade rose 25.4 per cent to USD 144.45 billion between January and September 2026. India’s imports from China increased 23.3 per cent to USD 125.19 billion, while exports to China grew 40.7 per cent to USD 19.26 billion. Despite the rise in exports, the trade...
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The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) has announced a strategic partnership with the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, aimed at bolstering the UK aluminium sector’s international trade and technical capabilities. Unveiled during ALFED’s House of Lords lunch last week, the partnership marks a pivotal moment for the UK aluminium industry as it faces both emerging opportunities and critical challenges. Attended by industry leaders, parliamentarians, and government officials, the event served as a platform to highlight the aluminium sector’s role in building sustainable, competitive, and resilient supply chains for the future. Among the key issues discussed were the need to support the UK’s Net Zero ambitions, retain the economic value of secondary aluminium within the UK, and...
With sustainability becoming the core of every industry, Vedanta Aluminium, the world's leading aluminium producer, has taken a bold step that not only helps to uphold sustainability but also empowers women in the metal industry. Currently, the firm is on the road to establishing a one-of-a-kind women-led fly ash brick manufacturing facility, which shall aid in producing almost one crore bricks annually. The firm has taken this initiative by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Subhalaxmi Cooperative to set up the facility in Jharsuguda, Odisha. Image source: IndiaMART Subhalaxmi Cooperative, which is deemed to be India's largest rural women's cooperative, would be supplied with fly ash by Vedanta Aluminium at no cost, which would be sourced from Vedanta's mega aluminium...
The Pahang Customs Department is proving to be a formidable force in Malaysia's ongoing battle against smuggling, striking yet again with the recent interception of seven containers packed with electronic waste (e-waste) and aluminium scrap worth an estimated MYR 4.4 million (USD 937,200) at Port Klang, Selangor. The high-stakes operation, carried out in collaboration with the Selangor Department of Environment (DoE), exposed the importer's attempt to dodge regulations by falsely declaring the e-waste as "copper concentrate" to avoid the required import permit. State Customs Director Mohd Asri Seman confirmed that further investigations revealed the shipments lacked both proper permits and accurate customs declarations. "The importer had falsely declared the e-waste as' copper...
At a time when global bilateral trade relations face mounting uncertainty, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are moving into a new alliance centered on premium aluminium and steel. According to a report on July 2, Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and UAE Economy Minister Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri met as part of a high-level engagement to advance India-UAE cooperation under the CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) framework. The meeting was focused on joint development of high-grade aluminium and steel, which are vital for India’s growing automobile and strategic sectors. “We see clear synergy in jointly producing and trading high-quality steel and aluminium for use in sectors such as automobiles, mobility, and high-end manufacturing,” Shri Kumaraswamy said while...
In a significant step for Chhattisgarh's mining industry, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has reportedly launched the e-auction process for new blocks of bauxite, iron ore, and limestone minerals. A pre-bid conference was arranged at Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, aimed at attracting investors to encourage them to invest in local development and make the state's abundant mineral riches accessible for industrial investment. The meeting served as an opportunity for potential investors and other industrial stakeholders to demonstrate their interest in accessing the various mineral resources of Chhattisgarh. The Mission of the pre-bid was to highlight the economic potential of new mineral blocks as well as build interest in subscribing to a fair and transparent auction process. Digital-first approach...
On July 1, 2025, Ma'aden, Saudi Arabian Mining Company, finalised its acquisition of almost 25.1 per cent stakes in MBAC (Ma'aden Bauxite and Alumina Company) and MAC (Ma'aden Aluminum Company), two critical pieces of Saudi Arabia's aluminum value chain. Previously, Alcoa held a 25.1 per cent ownership stake in the company, whereas Ma’aden held a stake of about 74.9 percent. Image Source: Asharq Al Awsat The general assembly meeting of Ma'aden approved the increase in capital and the issue of new shares to help the full ownership of the company. In this new decision made by Ma’aden, Alcoa Saudi would be receiving a 1.74 per cent stake in Ma'aden's share capital, whereas AWA Saudi would be receiving a 0.47 per cent stake. Ma’aden has decided to purchase Alcoa’s 25.1 per cent stakes in MBAC...
China’s move to restart rare earth exports to the US has eased pressure on American industries after nearly two months of restrictions. While some European firms have also secured limited export licenses to avoid production disruptions, India despite being a major importer of Chinese rare earths has not been granted similar relief. Image Source: ip-quarterly/Thorsten Kirchhoff China’s export ban, imposed on April 4, 2025, as a response to US tariffs, disrupted global access to critical rare earth materials such as scandium. Though used in small amounts, scandium is vital for producing high-performance aluminium-scandium alloys, which play a key role in electric vehicles, electronics, and defence industries. China’s Ministry of Commerce said, “China will approve the export application of...
The Maharashtra government has unveiled an ambitious plan to make electric vehicles (EVs) account for 30 per cent of all vehicle registrations in the state by 2030. The announcement was made by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who emphasised the need for sustainable mobility solutions amid growing urban congestion and rising fuel costs. The state’s vision has been formalised in the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, which introduces a series of financial and structural incentives to accelerate EV adoption across sectors. Image for referential purposes only To encourage early adoption, the policy offers a range of benefits, including road tax and registration fee exemptions, interest-free loans, and direct purchase subsidies. In fact, the country’s first 45-horsepower...
LB Aluminium Bhd announced that it is acquiring a 6.74-acre leasehold industrial land along with existing buildings in Banting, Selangor, for RM 22 million (USD 5.21 million). In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the aluminium extrusion manufacturer said the property is being purchased from Lucksoon Coatings Sdn Bhd. As part of the agreement, LB Aluminium will enter into a contra arrangement with Lucksoon Coatings and its related company, Lucksoon Metal Works Sdn Bhd, to offset RM 4.01 million of outstanding debt owed by Lucksoon Metal, using part of the purchase price. Additionally, LB Aluminium said it will enter into a three-year tenancy agreement to lease the property back to Lucksoon Metal, which currently occupies the site for its metal works operations and metal product trading...
A seminar, jointly organised by BetterCans, LLC and Ohio State University, is gaining attention in the metal packaging space. Designed for canmakers, non-canmakers, and brand owners, the event will feature key voices from the canmaking and beverage industries. With the theme " A Young Packaging for Future Generations, " the focus will be on two-piece aluminium cans for beverages. This two-day seminar provides a comprehensive overview of the key processes and materials used in aluminium canmaking and beverage packaging. Participants will learn how two-piece aluminium cans are manufactured and explore the regulations governing materials that come into contact with ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The seminar will follow the full lifecycle of a beverage can, from aluminium coil to the...
Germany-based TOMRA Recycling welcomed Katrin Fricke as the new Executive Vice President (EVP) and Head, ushering in a new era of growth and a fresh chapter for the company. Succeeding Dr Volker Rehrmann, whose remarkable career with TOMRA spanned more than two decades, Katrin has expressed gratitude, stating, "A big thank you to Dr Volker Rehrmann for the thoughtful handover. I'm honoured to continue writing the story of TOMRA Recycling alongside a great team of experts, and I'm excited about what lies ahead." Katrin Fricke brings a wealth of leadership experience to her new role, having held key positions across diverse industries with a strong focus on operations management, corporate strategy, and digital transformation. With a background in production engineering and a passion for...
Vedanta Limited, an Indian multinational company, has represented solid returns in the first 6 months of 2025. The share price of the firm is poised to reach the INR 500 (USD 5.99) mark and has gained nearly 5 per cent over time, while continuing with the previously announced demerger activities. Under this demerger plan, the company will divide itself into five new companies, creating a significant opportunity for investors. Image source: vedantaaluminium.com On July 3, at 11:42 AM, Vedanta Limited's share price stood at INR 464 (USD 5.56). The price is expected to rise today and reach its highest value of INR 472.35 (USD 5.66), which reflects on the same price as achieved on March 27, 2025, where the value stood INR 472.35 (USD 5.66). On June 16, a week ago, the share price stood at INR...
Southern Tasmania is placing greater emphasis on recycling. The region already known for aluminium recycling and green movements has unlocked another significant achievement in Goodwood with the opening of its first bulk recycling depot. Inaugurated on Wednesday, July 2, the recycling depot provides locals with a convenient drive-through location to exchange drink containers like aluminium, plastic, glass, etc., for 10-cent refunds while supporting employment for people with disability. “This collaboration with SEED is a terrific example of the extended community benefit potential of Tasmania’s container refund scheme. [The depot] provides employment, training and fundraising opportunities for people with disability, all while creating clean streams of recycling and helping keep our...
Crown Holdings, a global force in metal packaging, is forging ahead on its sustainability journey with the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report, ‘Built To Last.’ The report showcases the US-based company’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, circularity, and responsible growth. From cutting carbon emissions and conserving water to minimising waste and enhancing workplace safety, Crown is making measurable strides across its operations. Central to this progress is its ambitious Twentyby30 program, which sets 20 concrete sustainability goals for 2030 including slashing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 43 per cent from 2019 levels and transitioning to 75 per cent renewable energy. With investments in on-site renewables and off-site power purchase agreements, Crown is proving...
As of July 1, 2025, the European Commission has fired the starting gun on what could be one of the most consequential trade decisions for the European aluminium industry in recent years. The Commission has issued an official notice of impending expiry for the anti-dumping duties currently levied on aluminium extrusions imported from the People’s Republic of China. In turn, the retraction can conceivably trigger a sharp recalibration of regional manufacturing strategies and market dynamics. Image for representational purposes only Unless a formal review request is submitted by EU producers before the end of 2025, the anti-dumping measures will lapse at midnight on March 31, 2026, as stipulated in Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 and documented in Notice C/2025/3573, published in the Official...
Constellation Brands, owner of successful beer brands Corona and Modelo, has cited the heavy financial burden of aluminium tariffs as one of the reasons behind its disappointing first-quarter performance. The drinks giant fell short of Wall Street expectations both in terms of sales and profit, emphasising the rising cost pressures facing its flagship beer business, which heavily depends on imported Mexican aluminium cans. For the period ending May 31, 2025, Constellation had net sales of USD 2.52 billion, which was lower than expected at USD 2.55 billion. The company reported a comparable profit of USD 3.22 per share, which was less than expected at USD 3.31. Trump tariffs causing real damage Executives at the company were upfront in blaming the soft performance on trade policy. The...
Aluminerie Alouette, an aluminium manufacturer partially owned by Rio Tinto Plc, is set to invest up to USD 1.1 billion in upgrading its facilities in northern Quebec, according to sources familiar with the matter. Image credit: unctad.org The company has reportedly secured a new electricity supply agreement with Hydro-Quebec, the government-owned power utility, the sources said. They spoke on condition of anonymity as the details remain private. The planned investment is a positive development for an industry currently under pressure from US President Donald Trump’s trade policies. The White House has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on foreign aluminium imports, a move that is expected to impact US businesses reliant on the metal. For instance, Constellation Brands Inc., the beer and alcohol...
According to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the world’s primary aluminium production in May 2025 trended up over a month, mirroring the pattern observed in the same period last year—but with a sharper pace of growth. While in May 2024, the world’s output had grown by 2.22 per cent month-on-month, this year, it increased by 3.3 per cent. From 6.044 million tonnes in April 2025, global output rose to 6.245 million tonnes in May, while the same period in 2024 had seen a climb from 5.913 million tonnes to 6.151 million tonnes. Thus, on a year-on-year calculation, the production volume in May 2025 was 1.53 per cent higher than in the same period of the earlier year. Nations with a 5-month high output – China leads, but how long? The production increased worldwide, but in some...
