China Rare Earth Group is in talks to acquire a controlling stake in Shenghe Resources, a move that could bring the Chinese rare earth producer under tighter state control while giving Beijing influence over Shenghe’s overseas holdings, including a stake in US rare earths company MP Materials. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that discussions between the companies have been underway since earlier this year. One source said China Rare Earth Group is seeking a controlling stake, although neither source knew when the acquisition could be announced or completed. If the deal goes through, China Rare Earth Group would take control of Shenghe’s interests in foreign companies, including its 3 per cent stake in MP Materials. The US rare earths company counts the US Department of...
Macro perspective: Outside China, the US Fed raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.75per cent-4.00per cent as expected, the first hike since July 2023, with a unanimous FOMC vote. The dot plot showed one more possible rate hike in 2026, extending the period of high interest rates. As a result, US Treasuries saw heavy selling, the US dollar and real yields rose, directly weighing on the valuation of dollar-denominated nonferrous metals. Geopolitically, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz persisted, with Iran claiming the strait was under its "smart control," and a regional shipping security meeting originally scheduled in Oman was forced to be postponed, raising energy transport and risk premiums. Overall, macro sentiment was mixed. Fundamentals: Supply side, this week, China's weekly...
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During the February cycle (February 6 to March 6), SMM prebaked anode prices increased significantly. The March 2025 procurement benchmark price of a certain aluminium smelter in Shandong was RMB 5,066 per tonne, up 23.26 per cent M-o-M. According to SMM, March prebaked anode export order prices followed the domestic raw material price surge, with adjustments concentrated around $130-220 per tonne. As of now, SMM's prebaked anode prices in east China closed at RMB 5,066-8,594 per tonne. Raw material side: During this cycle, petroleum coke prices surged and then pulled back, especially after the holiday resumption of production, with significant price increases. The rise in the low-sulphur petroleum coke market was mainly driven by low refinery inventory levels in north-east China,...
India's ADC12 alloy market showed recovery in February 2025, as India's largest automaker announced March 2025 settlement prices for ADC12, which saw an increase by INR 4,210/tonne and was at INR 212,110/tonne, as demand improved and prices rose for the first time in nine months. BigMint's latest assessment in Feb'25 shows that OEM-approved ADC12 in Delhi was at INR 210,000/tonne (t) and in Chennai was at INR 209,000/tonne, an increase of up to INR 2,000/tonne m-o-m. BigMint's assessment of tense in Delhi was at INR 177,000/tonne, a rise of INR 2,500/tonne, and Chennai was at 178,000/tonne, a rise of INR 3,500/tonne m-o-m. This rise reflects improved demand from the automotive sector, though major players kept prices lower for ADC12. Automakers' ADC12 prices for February settlements stood...
The soaring price premiums for aluminium on the physical market in the United States are believed to benefit Novelis, the US subsidiary of Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Hindalco Industries. A Reuters report on March 5 highlighted that aluminium premium prices in the US physical market surged to a record high of $900 per tonne, up nearly 60 per cent since the start of 2025, on the account of looming threats of 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel imports by the Trump administration. This increase in the so-called Midwest premium over the LME prices is set to boost Novelis' bottom line. Utsav Verma, Head of Research - Institutional Equities, Choice Broking also confirmed that the immediate impact of aluminum tariffs by the US could be positive for Novelis, as the spike in US aluminium...
Tensions ran high on Thursday as a public hearing for the proposed Balada bauxite mining project in Nandapur block witnessed strong opposition from local villagers. The meeting, orchestrated by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) in line with Ministry of Forest and Environment guidelines, aimed to gather feedback on the environmental impact of the project. But, the villagers’ message was loud and clear: No to mining. Image for referential purposes only The hearing, which was presided over by Additional District Magistrate Alomani Sethi and OSPCB Regional Officer Dipesh Biswal, drew participation from residents of five panchayats — Balda, Bheja, Kulwbir, Atanda, and Badel, representing 30 villages. However, the crowd was less interested in negotiations and more focused on...
Diamond Power Infrastructure, known for manufacturing aluminium conductors and other power transmission equipment has launched a commercial production at its inaugural rod mill, which is dedicated to manufacturing next-generation AL 59 wire rods. The company is also advancing a Green Field project that will house three-rod mills, collectively capable of processing 250 MT per day or 7,500 MT per month. With an estimated investment of INR 550 million, the initiative is set to produce high-performance aluminium-based alloys tailored for efficient power transmission. Currently, the company operates its own rod mill with a monthly capacity of 1,200 MT. AL 59 wire rods are aluminium alloy wire rods made primarily from high-purity aluminium with magnesium additives. Known for their excellent...
Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) is striving to become a leading contributor to the country's economic development under the leadership of its newly appointed acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah. Image source: LinkedIn (GIADEC) Mr Twumasi Ankrah, GIADEC's new CEO and a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience across multiple legal domains, is prepared to embrace a new challenge to add further value to the work of his predecessor and position GIADEC as a leading force for national advancement by supporting and advancing the indigenous aluminium value chain – the vision with which an act of Parliament established GIADEC. Mr Ankrah addressed the staff durbar this week, meant to welcome the new CEO of the Corporation, by sharing...
LS Cable and LS Eco Energy are set to supply medium-voltage (MV) aluminium power cables to the U.S. market for the first time, strengthening their presence in the region. On the 6th, the companies announced a $25 million (approximately 36.3 billion won) deal to provide 35kV aluminium cables to U.S. solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) firms. These cables will be used to build power grids for solar plants across states like California, New Jersey, and Indiana. Designed for durability and reliable high-voltage transmission, they perform steadily even in extreme conditions, including high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and dust. An official of the company said, "The cable affiliates such as LS Cable and LS Eco-Energy, as well as heating wire, do not use Chinese aluminium and...
Amid a turbulent market and a rapidly shifting energy landscape, BP (formerly known as British Petroleum) has embarked on a bold strategic pivot that has sent ripples through both the financial and environmental communities. Image for referential purposes only The incident, which caught the eyeballs of climate activists The London-based energy giant, once celebrated for its progressive green ambitions, has decided to reallocate its focus back to its historically profitable oil and gas production. This dramatic turnaround, revealed in the company’s “Reset BP” announcement, comes on the heels of a year marked by staggering share price declines and the desperate hope of reviving investor confidence through increased earnings and boosted shareholder returns. In a move that has sparked fierce...
Minim Martap Bauxite Project-owned Canyon Resources Limited has announced that the Board of CAMRAIL SA has approved Total Energies Marketing Cameroun SA and Société d’Exploitation des Bois du Cameroun, to enter into two share sale agreements with its wholly owned subsidiary, Camalco Cameroon SA. Upon completing the transactions, Camalco will acquire a strategic 9.1 per cent stake in CAMRAIL and secure a position on its Board. Camalco has successfully acquired a 3.8 per cent equity stake in Camrail from SEBC for an upfront cash payment of XAF 575,700,000 (approximately A$1.4 million). This unconditional acquisition was completed on February 28, 2025. Additionally, Camalco is set to acquire a further 5.3 per cent equity stake in Camrail from Total Cameroon for XAF 812,850,000 (approximately...
Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest aluminium producer, has announced a transformative step towards fostering gender parity and workplace inclusion by converting an entire smelter line at its operations in Jharsuguda, Odisha, which is to be operated and maintained exclusively by women employees. The Jharsuguda smelter is one of the world's largest aluminium smelters. This pioneering initiative aligns with Vedanta Aluminium's broader commitment to further enhancing women's participation in the workplace, reinforcing its position as a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion within the manufacturing sector. Vedanta nurtures one of the highest gender diversity percentages in its workforce – a scenario that is extremely unusual for the metals, mining and heavy engineering industry, where...
Primary aluminium output at Pavlodar-based Kazakhstan Aluminium Smelter (KAS), owned by Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a leading diversified natural resources group and the only producer of high-grade aluminium in Kazakhstan, has reached the four-million-tonnes milestone since the start of production. Shukhrat Ibragimov, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eurasian Resources Group said, “In 2024, we have achieved further successes at KAS, including increasing the efficiency of the electrolysis process and setting new production records, and today we are already celebrating a new achievement as aluminium output has reached the four-million-tonne mark. I would like to congratulate the whole team on reaching this historic milestone. The work of our...
FORNNAX Technology, a leading name in India's recycling equipment manufacturing sector, has achieved a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for its expansive 23-acre manufacturing site in Gujarat, India. Specializing in high-capacity and heavy-duty recycling equipment such as shredders and granulators, FORNNAX is set on a strategic path to strengthen its foothold in both Indian and global markets, aspiring to become a global leader in the recycling industry. The new facility is poised to be among the largest in the world, with an aim to produce around 250 machinery units annually by 2030. The foundation stone for this ambitious project was laid by Jignesh Kundaria, CEO and Director, alongside Kaushik Kundaria, Director of FORNNAX. The event was attended by key leadership...
RUSAL, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, has deployed artificial intelligence to enhance the microstructure analysis of aluminium ingots. This proprietary technology reduces analysis time from several hours to just 15 minutes, streamlining quality control and minimising repetitive manual tasks. Developed by the RUSAL Engineering Center, this AI-driven microstructure analysis system leverages machine vision and neural networks to assess cylindrical ingots—one of the most advanced and high-demand aluminium products. These ingots are crucial in engineering, construction, and aerospace industries, where their quality directly influences final product performance and the longevity of extrusion equipment. “The neural network assesses ingot samples across eight key microstructural...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest smelter on one site, recognised 12 exceptional contracting companies based in Bahrain for their top performance in Safety and Well-being throughout 2024, in an awarding ceremony that was held on 27 February 2025 at the Oasis Hall. Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali awarded the senior representatives from each contracting company at the ceremony, which was attended by the Ministry of Labour’s Director of Inspection & Occupational Safety, Mustafa Al Shaikh, as well as several top Alba officials. The selection process was based on Alba’s rigorous point system, which comprehensively evaluate the companies across three key areas -- Supply of workforce, Supply of service and Well-being conditions outside Alba, such as workers’...
After hitting a 52-week low on Monday , March 3, Maan Aluminium's share price surged by approximately 5 per cent in a single day, reaching INR 98.93 on Thursday, March 6. This increase also marked a 16.12 per cent gain compared to the price of INR 85.2 on March 3. Image source: Maan Aluminium The boost in share price followed the company's announcement regarding its acquisition of land in Devas, Madhya Pradesh, to expand aluminium extrusion manufacturing operations. In a regulatory filing, Maan Aluminium revealed that the land would be used for the expansion of its aluminium extrusion business and the addition of value-added services. Maan Aluminium has reportedly acquired a building along with 13,117 square metres of leasehold land located at 81A and 82C, Devas Industrial Area, M B Road,...
The West African nation and the world's largest producer of bauxite, Guinea, has been under military rule since September 2021, when Colonel Mamady Doumbouya led a coup against President Alpha Condé, citing widespread corruption, human rights violations, and economic mismanagement. According to global media reports, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah announced that the country will return to constitutional rule in 2025. He further stated that a constitutional referendum is planned, followed by legislative and presidential elections within a reasonable timeframe. Guinea's former president, Alpha Condé, had a long and tumultuous reign that ultimately paved the way for the 2021 coup, aimed at restoring stability in the nation, which stands as Africa's largest producer of bauxite. Elected...
Researchers from Ateneo de Manila University and the Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed a groundbreaking, low-cost method to transform ordinary aluminium into a transparent, glass-like material with remarkable durability. By using microdrops of acid and just two volts of electricity, they produce transparent aluminium oxide (TAlOx) without relying on expensive equipment or harmful processes. A cost-effective, low-impact approach This innovation paves the way for sustainable applications across industries, including touch screens, solar panels, protective coatings, and miniaturised electronic devices, potentially reshaping modern technology with a more accessible, eco-friendly material. The innovative method relies on "droplet-scale anodising," a process that uses tiny...
Constellium SE, a Paris-based global manufacturer of aluminium rolled products, extruded products, and structural components made from advanced alloys, described 2024 as a challenging year, citing extreme weather conditions and weak demand from end markets as significant operational setbacks. At the end of February 2025, the company reported its financial results, mirroring the prolonged market downturn throughout the year. The company’s revenue saw a hit of 6 per cent compared to the previous year and amounted to $7.3 billion, while its shipments decreased by 4 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes. Consequently, its net income plunged by 61.78 per cent from $157 million in 2023 to $60 million in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA for the whole year was $623 million, down by 5.89 per cent Y-o-Y from $662...
