The Canyon Resources’ subsidiary has acquired 42.8 per cent of Douala Port Timber Terminal, adding a port interest to its existing railway stake as it develops a planned route for Minim-Martap bauxite. Camalco Cameroon is extending its position in the logistics network being planned for the Minim-Martap bauxite project, acquiring a 42.8 per cent stake in Douala Port Timber Terminal (TBPD). The investment adds a port-related interest to its existing shareholding in Camrail, the railway operator expected to form part of the project’s transport route. The acquisition was completed through a capital increase at TBPD, rather than the purchase of shares from existing shareholders. Camalco invested XAF 347.447 million (USD 604,000), subscribing to newly issued shares reserved entirely for the...
The aluminium industry is entering another phase of supply-chain repositioning. Across bauxite, alumina and primary aluminium, companies are investing in new resources, consolidating strategic assets and expanding processing capacity, while governments are increasingly treating domestic supply as a strategic priority. The latest developments from Australia, Guyana, Guinea, Indonesia, the US and India point to a market where resource security, processing location and control over supply chains are becoming as important as production growth. At the same time, new trading mechanisms and changing investment patterns are beginning to influence how aluminium and its raw materials reach the market. Bauxite supply expands, but securing the right tonnes is becoming harder In Western Australia, VBX...
Grow with
AL Circle
Introduction RIA Cast House Engineering provides precision rail-mounted casthouse-proven charging and skimming equipment for aluminium casthouses worldwide. The design and development of all RiA Machines take reliability, durability, maintenance, and occupational safety into account. RiA has supplied over eighty furnace charging and skimming machines, all rail-mounted and capable of charging up to 30 metric tonnes in less than 90 seconds or skimming a furnace faster than a traditional forklift truck or wheeled furnace tending vehicle, but with more repeatable results and without damaging the refractory lining. Key customers include Hydro, Constellium, Matalco, and many others. Several clients have multiple machines in the same casthouse or across various sites and territories. One client...
In pursuing a more sustainable future, the global aluminium value chain stands at a critical crossroads, with technology emerging as a beacon of hope and catalyst for positive change. The aluminium industry, a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, faces a pressing need for innovation to mitigate its environmental impact and contribute to a greener world. Digitalisation plays a pivotal role in optimising the entire value chain. Smart manufacturing processes enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) allow for real-time monitoring and control, enhancing efficiency while minimising waste. Predictive analytics can anticipate equipment failures, reducing downtime and resource wastage. This improves operational efficiency and contributes to resource conservation, a...
The first anniversary of ChatGPT could not have been more exciting! The tech world got a knee-jerk reaction when the board of ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI, suddenly dismissed the CEO, Sam Altman, during one of the board meetings. AL Circle has detailed the progress made since then in one of its news articles, available for review: ‘ OpenAI without Sam Altman – The impact on technology and aluminium sector ’. PHOTOGRAPH: JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES However, within a few days, things changed dramatically, and Sam Altman was reinstated at the helm as the CEO of OpenAI. The old board of OpenAI had been revamped, and in the new board, Microsoft, the largest shareholder of OpenAI, was given a seat. This chain of events brought stability to OpenAI, and Microsoft’s constructive involvement...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China's domestic aluminium ingot inventories are decreasing faster than expected. The estimated reason is the production cut in Yunnan, resulting in slower arrivals of stocks to warehouses. As per the data shown on December 7, the inventories halted at 560,000 tonnes, reflecting a decline of 29,000 tonnes from Monday, December 4, and a downfall of 38,000 tonnes from the previous Thursday, November 30. SMM estimates if this downtrend accelerates further, the Chinese primary aluminium inventories will reach as low as around 500,000 tonnes. However, in the rest of this month, inventory depletion may face disruptions because lessened aluminium billet production in northern regions will lead to a potential cast ingot volume increase in some...
The downstream sector has seen massive investments and grand advancements this week. Senior PLC, a well-known manufacturer of automotive and aircraft components and systems based in Hertfordshire, England, has recently announced a new contract with Strata Manufacturing PJSC, a company based in the United Arab Emirates. The contract involves the supply of vertical detail parts for Boeing Co 787 and has a value of around $12 million over a period of seven years. Recently, SurTec acquired Aluservice, an Italy-based company. Aluservice is known for its research and development work, as well as its distribution of chemical specialities for surface treatment of alloys made of aluminium, zinc, steel, and iron. Kaiser Aluminum has recently filed a patent application (Publication Number:...
India-based Woodecorina has successfully flagged off the latest Paneluxe factory in India. Situated at FICCI-FLO, Medical Devices Park at Hyderabad, the factory has been overloaded with state-of-the-art, fully automated machinery lines for enhanced production. The company uses aluminium honeycombs instead of conventional plywood for interior decoration. The factory spans a massive area of 10,000 square feet and is designed to focus on delivering high-quality and precise modular kitchens, office furniture, and wardrobes. What makes Paneluxe so unique is its commitment to sustainability. Unlike other factories in India, Paneluxe does not use any wooden boards such as MDF, plywood, or particle boards in its manufacturing process. Instead, it uses 100% green products, such as aluminium...
On December 7, 2023, BHP, one of the world's largest diversified mining companies, announced a significant reorganisation of its top leadership, forming a team equipped with the "optimal blend of skills and expertise" to execute its strategy and advance its growth initiatives. The new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be Vandita Pant, who currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). She will take over from David Lamont on March 1. Lamont, in turn, will continue to be associated with BHP until February 2025, serving as a senior executive officer in an advisory and projects capacity. Rug Udd is set to assume the role left vacant by Pant as the new chief commercial officer. Currently serving as BHP President of the Americas, Udd has successfully led the Jansen project to sanction...
Aluminium is the second most commonly used metal after steel in modern societies, and due to its versatile properties, it has seen a significant increase in use in transportation, building, packaging, and electrical engineering in recent decades. In the ongoing global effort to combat climate change, COP28 has emerged as a pivotal moment, marked by significant commitments towards a sustainable future. In this initiative, many prominent companies like Hydro and Vedanta have actively participated, highlighting the importance of aluminium and how they do their bit to promote a sustainable environment. To minimise global greenhouse gas emissions, the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) in Tema, Ghana, is making significant efforts towards sustainable manufacturing. The firm has thoroughly...
A Campbell River boat builder, EagleCraft Boats, has recently launched the country’s first 42-inch aluminium boat equipped with quad Yamaha 450HP outboard motors. The vessel is described as a powerhouse on the water because of having high-performance outboards that underscore EagleCraft’s unwavering commitment to providing the latest and most potent marine technology. With a fuel capacity of 600 gallons, EagleCraft ensures an extended and exhilarating journey on the open sea. The interior of the cruiser offers a two-berth layout with a convertible settee, a separate head and shower, and a fully appointed galley. For comfort, the cruiser has air conditioning, a 12 KW generator, and a large house battery system for uninterrupted power on extended voyages. For navigation, the vessel uses...
Dudley's Aluminium, a fabricator based in Wales, has recently announced securing another project in Milton Park, Oxfordshire. The company will work alongside Barnwood Ltd on the Nebula development, consisting of three buildings and seven research and development units. The development aims to meet the 'Excellent' BREEAM sustainability standards and is targeting an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate. A noteworthy feature of this project is the use of sustainably sourced glue-laminated timber in each of the buildings, which adds to the project's eco-friendliness. The upcoming building structures will be designed with vaulted ceilings to accommodate large-scale laboratories and high-tech engineering equipment. Additionally, Dudley's will install both manually and remotely operated...
The industry group European Aluminium believes the European Union should sanction Russian aluminium metal rather than banning a few products like aluminium wire, foil, tubes, and pipes for a more significant impact. According to the group, a more robust and stringent action is required to restrict Russian aluminium imports. The group explains in a letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the recently proposed 12th package of sanctions keeps out the primary aluminium, which accounts for the largest volume of Russian aluminium exports to the EU. The sanctions package only includes aluminium wire, foil, tubes, and pipes exports, which are limited to the EU. In the first three quarters of 2023, the European Union imported almost 500,000 tonnes of Russian...
Weifang Guanghua Aluminum Co., Ltd. completed the trial production of its 3,600-tonne large-scale extruder on November 29th, 2023. The smooth and slow extrusion of the first large-scale industrial material from the extruder marked a significant milestone for the company. This new addition will help broaden and improve the manufacturing capacity and scale of the company's aluminium profiles. The focus should be on promoting enterprise reform and innovation, with an emphasis on strengthening the centre of high-quality development of enterprises. Independent innovation should be considered as the primary driving force that leads to the high-quality development of enterprises. The international vision and global layout should adhere to making good use of both domestic and international...
Vedanta Lanjigarh, India's leading producer of metallurgical grade alumina, has received 5 Gold medals at the 48th International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC-2023) in Beijing, hosted by the China Association of Quality (CAQ). These highly competitive accolades demonstrate Vedanta Aluminium's dedication to improving the quality of its vast product line and encouraging efficient operating operations. The award emphasises the company's commitment to maintaining demanding standards in all operational aspects, further solidifying its industry reputation for excellence. The accolades bestowed to Vedanta Lanjigarh at ICQCC 2023 reaffirm the company's dedication to using state-of-the-art technology to achieve quality assurance and maintain exceptional operational performance. In...
Aluminium value chain is a complete and thriving industry in Europe, with over 600 plants across 30 European countries. Presently, 9 million tonnes is Europe’s annual demand for primary aluminium, and by 2050, the demand is expected to grow till 18 million tonnes. However, production has seen a dip in the recent past owing to the energy crisis since the beginning of 2023. The hit has not spared the alumina sector as well, bringing its production in the first ten months to 5.36 million tonnes compared to 7.09 million tonnes. That indicated a decrease of 32.28 per cent in Europe’s (including Russia) alumina output from January to October 2023. As of early September 2023, about 1 million tonnes of European primary aluminium capacity went offline as the power-intensive sector struggled to...
Ma Zhenglan, the secretary of the Party Committee and the chairman of Henan Energy, held a meeting with Shi Zhirong, the secretary of the Party Committee of Chinalco, on November 28. During the meeting, both parties emphasised the importance of enhancing communication and collaboration, working together towards mutual benefits, promoting high-quality development, and achieving practical outcomes from their cooperation. The following people attended the meeting: Yang Heng, who is the Henan Group Company General Manager, Deputy Party Secretary, and Vice Chairman; Song Lusheng, who is the Executive Deputy General Manager; Jiang Tao, who is the Deputy General Manager and Safety Director of Chinalco Shares; Yu Hua, who is the Chairman of Chinalco Materials; Huang Li, who is the Party Secretary...
Yunnan Aluminium, the China-based company primarily engaged in bauxite mining and aluminium smelting, was honoured with the "ESG Golden Bull Award Top 50 Central Enterprises" and "Golden Information Disclosure Award." Yunnan Aluminium also received the "2022 Golden Letter Award" for its exceptional performance in ESG practice. Yunnan Aluminium Co., Ltd. uses its strong resource allocation ability and collaborative innovation organisational power to increase the value of the green aluminium downstream industrial chain, forming a "1+N" green development pattern of the entire industrial chain from molten aluminium to terminal products. Yunnan Aluminium has always: practised the ESG development concept, has been closely focused on the national strategic goal of "double carbon" and the...
Sylatech, a North Yorkshire-based company, thinks the potential of aluminium shape casting for aerospace components is yet to be fully defined due to concerns regarding the manufacturing process, product consistency, and mechanical performance. To address these concerns, Sylatech has launched the Digital Liquid Metal Manufacturing (DLMM) project, which has a total budget of £3.4 million. The company has been awarded a grant of £2.07 million from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) programme for its project aimed at developing geometrically complex castings using aluminium shape casting. The project will utilise MeltX, a metal casting innovation, to enhance the mechanical properties of post-consumer aluminium. The aim is to reduce weight and increase the in-service life of each...
The Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC), located in Portugal approximately 400 km from Lisbon, has recently unveiled the Schelter On Project. This initiative seeks to ensure the safety of individuals without a permanent place of residence by developing cutting-edge aluminium shelters that can be seamlessly incorporated into public areas. The module, composed of aluminium, a readily cleaned material that can be reused, signifies a significant advance towards a more circular economy. The inside of the space provides essential comforts such as a bed, nightstand, electrical outlet, and other features to provide a secure atmosphere for those experiencing homelessness. The shelter, constructed as a self-sufficient and portable unit, was created via a partnership between the...
