Chevron Australia has entered a new natural gas supply agreement with South32’s Worsley Alumina business, reinforcing the importance of reliable energy supplies to Australia’s alumina refining industry. The deal will support operations at the Western Australian facility, where energy availability remains central to mineral processing and industrial activity. Under the contract, Chevron will supply natural gas to South32 Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd from 1 January 2028. The arrangement continues a longstanding commercial relationship between the companies, with the fuel allocated to the alumina producer’s processing requirements. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade...
Mexico’s aluminum industry is looking to capitalize on rising demand from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, electric mobility, automotive manufacturing, and aerospace. Expanding technology investments and international market opportunities are expected to support sales growth, while the country’s reliance on imported aluminum highlights the importance of strengthening domestic processing capabilities. Ramón Beltrán, president of Mexico’s National Chamber of the Aluminum Industry (Canalum), expects the country’s domestic and international aluminum sales to gain momentum in 2026, supported by demand from advanced technology applications and established manufacturing sectors. “We expect to close out this year with growth of between 7.5% and 7.8% in domestic and international...
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The Australian mining and exploration company Metro Mining is gearing up to commence its 2025 production and shipping operations at the Bauxite Hills Mine and Marine Divisions in Queensland, with mobilisation to the site now underway. Source: Metro Mining The company has set an ambitious target for the year, planning to ship between 6.5 and 7 million WMT of bauxite—building on its strong performance in 2024, when it recorded 5.7 million WMT, marking a notable 24 per cent increase over the previous year. With a market capitalisation of $328.9 million, Metro is aiming to load its first vessel of the year by March 17, 2025. This early start has been made possible thanks to the company’s continued investment in operational efficiency, equipment upgrades, and the completion of its...
On Monday, March 17, Hulamin, a South African company specialised in producing rolled and extruded aluminium products, reported bearish annual earnings that ended December 31 2024, alleging operational challenges as a primary cause for constraint. According to Hulamin CEO Meganathan Gounder, operational challenges and persistent pricing pressure in certain streams, such as export can stock and standards, offset the earnings improvement despite robust demand in the local market, particularly for can body. He said in a statement , "The 2024 financial year began with promise as market conditions showed significant improvement, particularly in the export segments. Demand recovery brought renewed opportunities, although pricing pressures in certain streams, such as export can stock and...
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global economic community, US President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs, notably a 25 per cent levy on steel and aluminium imports. This aggressive stance has elicited a chorus of reactions from world leaders, each grappling with the implications for their respective economies and the broader international trade landscape. Image for representational purposes only Iran is not in agreement to bend or, fend or mend “Won’t negotiate, do whatever the hell you want”, said the Iran President to Trump. “It is unacceptable for us that they (the US) give orders and make threats. I won’t even negotiate with you. Do whatever the hell you want”, state media quoted Masoud Pezeshkian as saying. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on...
The Trump administration's recent tariff hike on metals imports has raised fresh concerns within Europe, as fears mount that subsidised aluminium could flood the EU market. A draft proposal from the European Commission reveals that Brussels is now weighing potential measures to curb rising aluminium imports in a bid to shield its domestic industry. Image credit: Zalco In parallel, the Commission is also considering imposing duties on exports of scrap metals—a strategic move aimed at bolstering Europe's production sector amidst mounting global competition. Last week, the US Administration imposed steep 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, triggering swift retaliation from the EU, which announced tariffs on up to USD 28 billion worth of American goods. While Europe already...
Jamalco, Jamaica’s premier bauxite mining and alumina refining enterprise, has unveiled a whopping investment of USD 70.5 million (JMD 11 billion) aimed at prolonging the operational life of its mining activities by tapping into additional bauxite reserves in Manchester. Image for representational purposes only The earmarked capital expenditure is slated for mine development and the installation of advanced equipment over a three-year span, from 2025 to 2027. This initiative is integral to Jamalco’s ‘Project Restore’, which seeks to enhance the refinery’s feed and ensure a consistent bauxite supply. Jamalco’s history of resource management relies on grade control sampling and the avoidance large reserve inventories. It utilises auger drilling for exploration, with assays or testing of the...
A reminder from President Donald Trump on Sunday, March 16: no exemptions will be granted to countries that have imposed counter-tariffs on the United States. As previously announced by the President, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, and the European Union would face reciprocal duties starting in early April. Last month, Trump increased tariffs on aluminium and steel imports to 25 per cent with no exceptions. In response, the affected countries imposed heavy duties on US goods. Starting April 2, it is Trump's turn to retaliate by imposing tariffs on those countries, aiming to level up the playing field and protect American industries. Trump stated the US would impose tit-for-tat tariffs, matching those imposed by other countries—nothing less, nothing more. He also emphasised that the...
On March 13, 2025, Radius Recycling, Inc. announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. (TAI), the US subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, TAI will acquire all outstanding shares of Radius for $30.00 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 115 per cent over Radius’ closing share price as of March 12, 2025, and a 102 per cent premium over the 90-day volume-weighted average share price (VWAP). The implied total enterprise value of the transaction, including net debt, is approximately $1.34 billion. Image credit: Radius Recycling website Following the completion of the transaction, Radius will continue to operate under its current name from its headquarters in Portland, Oregon,...
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s aggregated aluminium production through January and February 2025 amounted to 7.32 million tonnes, reflecting about 3 per cent growth year-on-year from 7.1 million tonnes. The higher Y-o-Y output could be attributed to the improved profitability of aluminium smelters in China, owing to contracted alumina prices, thanks to the ease of supply constraints. The most active alumina contract (SAOc1) on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell over the first two months this year, ending at RMB 3,363 (USD464.81) per tonne as of February 28, down by 28 per cent from a peak of RMB 4,700 (USD 649.36) per tonne on January 2. There is a further projection of China’s primary aluminium ingot price hike through the upcoming months, further supporting the...
The Court of Appeal on March 17, 2025, upheld the forfeiture of RM44,000 (approx. USD10,000) in cash belonging to Syed Umar Khalil Syed Khalid, an assistant director of enforcement at the Pahang Land and Mines Department. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) seized the money a decade ago and discovered it hidden inside a washing machine at Syed Umar Khalil’s residence. Image Credit: New Straits Times A three-judge panel, chaired by Datuk Azman Abdullah, affirmed the forfeiture order, which had previously been granted by both the Sessions Court and the Pahang High Court. Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah stated, "This court found that there is no merit in the defence's appeal. This follows the defence's bare assertion, which failed to rebut the prosecution's case. The appellant was...
Get ready, sports fans! The World Aquatics Championships 2025 is splashing into Singapore from July 11 to August 2 and it's creating ripples for all the right reasons. For the very first time, a Southeast Asian nation is hosting this massive event, with the Singapore Sports Hub and Sentosa Island being its pride. Image source: SwimSwam But here's the highlight: The medals. They're not only shiny – they're sustainable! Here is to the "Trash to Treasure" programme, where all championship medals will be crafted from recycled aluminium cans. Now, where are all these aluminium cans coming from? The organisers have partnered with five PAP Community Foundation pre-schools, eight primary schools and three secondary schools to collect 100,000 aluminium cans. Their plan is to turn them into 5,000...
Russian aluminium boycott by Western countries, drop in product sales, particularly primary aluminium and alloys, and increased alumina costs – nothing could stop Rusal from experiencing a growth in profit in 2024. According to the company’s annual financial and operational results released on Friday, March 14, Rusal’s net profit in 2024 saw a leap of 184.75 per cent Y-o-Y from USD 282 million to USD 803 million, driven by higher prices of aluminium in the global market. The company’s gross profit stood at USD 2,821 million, up by 59.56 per cent from USD 1,768 million. Rusal’s aluminium and alumina production also successfully navigated high alumina costs, recording year-on-year growth of 3.7 per cent and 25.27 per cent. In 2024, the company produced 3.992 million tonnes of aluminium,...
The demand for aluminium in the packaging sector is primarily driven by beverage cans. Key factors fuelling the rising demand for beverage cans include the growing younger consumer base, the introduction of new product variations, and heightened environmental awareness among stakeholders. As per the data shared by Metal Packager, the global aluminium cans market is poised for significant growth. The projection suggests a hike from $61.1 billion in 2024 to $63.2 billion by 2025 and further expands to $94.5 billion by 2035. However, if we see the analysis by AL Circle, published in their report titled , "ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer trends and market dynamics", the global aluminium cans market in 2023 reached US$55.5 billion in 2023, which further escalated to US$58.2 billion in 2024....
Scatec, a leading renewables company, has entered into a 25-year corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Egyptalum. Under this agreement, the Norwegian renewable energy company will develop a 1,100 MW solar power plant and a 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The total estimated capital expenditure for the project in Egypt is approximately $650 million. As the country’s largest aluminium producer and its most significant industrial electricity consumer, Egyptalum exports around 60 per cent of its production to Europe. The solar PV and BESS project will play a crucial role in the company’s efforts to decarbonise its operations and align with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulations set to take effect in 2026. Scatec chief executive Terj...
A major metal manufacturer in Shropshire, UK, has expressed concerns that new US tariffs on aluminium and steel imports will create trade challenges. Bridgnorth Aluminium, the UK's only fully integrated aluminium coil rolling plant, employs 330 people in Shropshire and exports 20 per cent of its production to the US. The introduction of these tariffs adds uncertainty and could reduce the company's competitiveness compared to the existing quota and exemption system. Under the new policy, which took effect on March 12, 2025, US businesses importing steel and aluminium must now pay a 25 per cent tariff, following a directive from President Donald Trump. Adrian Musgrave, Head of Sales at Bridgnorth Aluminium, commented, “These tariffs add another dimension to the global uncertainty we are all...
The exports of aluminium from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the United States surged in the first 11 days of March 2025, according to data from the US Department of Commerce. Image credit: EGA; AL Arabiya This sharp increase comes as buyers rushed to secure shipments from their second-largest supplier ahead of the US tariffs that took effect. UAE aluminium exports to US (in tonnes) Data credit: Reuters So far, in March 2025, the UAE has exported 68,560.29 tonnes of aluminium to the US, a significant jump of +300 per cent growth compared to 16,124.88 tonnes for the entire month of March 2024. This volume marks the highest monthly export level in nearly two years. As the second-largest supplier of aluminium to the US, accounting for 8 per cent of total consumption, the UAE is...
Award-winning actress and entrepreneur Millie Bobby Brown is expanding the Florence By Mills Coffee lineup through a partnership with Collab Coffee, a leading coffee brand. The latest addition—ready-to-drink iced lattes—will be packed in recyclable aluminium cans and made with real milk. Image Source: Florence By Mills Coffee lineup Crafted for on-the-go enjoyment, these canned lattes blend popular flavours with a smooth, creamy finish, delivering a delicious coffee experience. Consumers can now find them on Walmart.com. All four flavours are available on Walmart.com in a six-pack, single-flavour format for $14.88. Individual cans of Original Chill, Vanilla Bliss, and Mocha Delight will soon be available at select Walmart stores. “Millie’s fans are year-round iced coffee enthusiasts, so...
On March 14, 2025, the Russian aluminium giant stated that it had agreed to acquire a 26 per cent stake in an Indian alumina refinery owner for $243.75 million, with the option to gradually increase its holding to 50 per cent, as reported by Reuters. Image credit: Gulf Times This strategic move aims to reduce Rusal's dependence on third-party raw materials. As one of the world's leading primary aluminium producers outside China and also the world's largest low-carbon aluminium producer, Rusal has not been directly subjected to Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. However, the company lost around 40 per cent of its alumina supply after Australia imposed an export ban on Russia, and it was forced to shut down its alumina refinery in Ukraine. RUSAL produces more than three million...
Iran's primary aluminium production has surpassed 552,000 tonnes in the first 11 months of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2024 – February 18, 2025), driven by substantial increases in bauxite and alumina output growth. Image credit: Tehran Times The country's four major primary aluminium producers—South Aluminum (SALCO), Iranian Aluminium Company (Iralco), Almahdi, and Iran Alumina—collectively produced 552,185 tonnes of aluminium ingots during the mentioned period, as reported by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). In spite of this significant output, this reflects a slight decline of 5.16 per cent compared with the 582,200 tonnes produced in the same period in the previous fiscal year. IMIDRO is a major state-owned holding...
