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...
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Schneider Electric, a worldwide leader in digital transformation in energy management and automation, has recently formed a strategic alliance with National Power Investment Group Digital Technology Co., LTD. (hereafter referred to as "Power Investment Digital Division") to jointly explore the smart aluminium (electrolytic aluminium, alumina) market. According to the agreement, Schneider Electric and Power Investment Data will conduct extensive collaboration in smart factories and smart manufacturing based on their vast accumulation and application experience in new-generation information technology and digital technology. Building upon Schneider Electric's successful digital innovation endeavours in areas such as data collection, real-time databases, centralised control centres, advanced...
On Saturday, December 2, Norsk Hydro and Volvo Group announced from the COP28 platform that they entered a strategic partnership to support each other’s journey towards zero emission value chains. They signed the partnership agreement under the World Economic Forum’s First Movers Coalition. Hydro said it would be all out to enable Volvo Group to achieve its ambitious net zero vehicles target by 2040 by supplying primary aluminium with an 80 per cent reduced carbon footprint than today’s global industry average. In addition, Hydro and Volvo’s partnership will work on defining a roadmap towards supplying near zero aluminium ahead of 2030, validating new recycling standards for alloys to optimise material reuse, and developing Hydro’s mining operations in Brazil by emulating Volvo’s...
Tetra Pak has initiated the next step of its used beverage cartons (UBC) recycling partnership with Union Paper Mills (UPM) and has an investment plan of AED 2,500,000. This will indefinitely create a closed-loop recycling value chain for end-of-life beverage containers in the UAE. The companies will separately recycle laminated aluminium and paper to extract pure raw materials for reuse. Tetra Pak and UPM signed a memorandum of understanding to recycle used beverage cartons (UBC) in November last year. The partnership involves technical assessments, recycling expert visits, meetings, and industrial trials with carton packages collected from local dairy producers. Tetra Pak has committed to investing in capital expenditures for new equipment to be installed at UPM. The new recycling...
Yunnan Aluminium Corporation was recently honoured with the "Outstanding Contribution Enterprise in the Carbon Neutrality Field" award at the 3rd Boao Conference on Carbon Neutrality. Yunnan Aluminium, as the aluminium industry base of China Aluminium Corporation (Chinalco) in Yunnan, demonstrates the responsibility of central enterprises. It actively practises the national "dual carbon" strategy and implements the strategic deployment of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and Government to build a "China Green Aluminium Valley". Yunnan Aluminium Group consistently adheres to the concept of green development and strives to create a sustainable "aluminium integration" industry model that is green, low-carbon, clean, and sustainable. It has successfully established a green industrial...
An announcement from the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania states that Creed White, a 65-year-old resident of Freeland, Maryland, has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and engaging in an unlawful monetary transaction. Mr White owned and operated Aluminum Alloys MFG, LLC, an aluminium smelting and processing business in Yoe, York County, Pennsylvania. As per the United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the defendant owned or controlled 18 additional sham corporate entities with no business operations or employees. The information alleges that White collaborated with several of his employees to file over 120 applications for pandemic stimulus funds on behalf of his non-operational businesses, including applications under the Payment...
On December 4, the Shanghai Metals Market witnessed a slight hike in aluminium prices to match the US$18,700 per tonne mark on November 29, with the SMM A00 aluminium ingot price rising by RMB 40 per tonne to close at RMB 18,700 per tonne. The average aluminium prices have circulated between RMB 18,680 per tonne and RMB 18,720 per tonne. If we take the aluminium price on November 27 into account, we can calculate a RMB 190 per tonne or 1 per cent Week-on-Week decline in aluminium prices from RMB 18,890 per tonne catalogued that day. China’s eight major provinces have all experienced a surge in aluminium prices today, with it heightening the most in Foshan by RMB 60 per tonne, to rest at RMB 18,810 per tonne, followed by RMB 50 per tonne escalation in Wuxi and Tianjin, where the aluminium...
As part of the long-term global decarbonisation strategy, Rio Tinto has approved the construction of a new 12.4 MW solar farm and 8.8MVa/2.1MWh of battery storage for renewable energy supply to Amrun bauxite mine near Weipa in Queensland. This initiative also represents Rio Tinto's ongoing efforts to reduce emissions at its Pacific bauxite, alumina, and aluminium operations. The solar farm and battery storage are jointly expected to substitute about 37 per cent of Amrun's diesel electricity consumption and cut annual CO2-equivalent emissions by 14,000 tonnes while adding to the existing 5.6MW of solar and 4MWh of battery power built for Rio Tinto's Weipa operations. Combined with the existing Weipa renewable power generation network, the solar farms will reduce Weipa Operations' diesel...
LME aluminium opened at US$2198 per tonne last Friday, with its high and low at US$2217 per tonne and US$2183 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2200 per tonne, an increase of US$6 per tonne or 0.27 per cent. On Friday, December 1, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dropped by US$10 per tonne or 0.46 per cent to clock at US$2,147 per tonne and US$2,147.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price fell by US$14 per tonne or 0.63 per cent and US$13 per tonne or 0.59 per cent to halt at US$2,183 per tonne and US$2,185 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price slumped by US$15 per tonne or 0.64 per cent to clock at US$2,300 per tonne and US$2,305 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock halted at 454375 tonnes....
Rusal, a leading global aluminium producer, announced the start of using primary aluminium with the lowest carbon footprint in the world, ALLOW INERTA, in producing SAYANA foil. The first 20 tonnes of ALLOW INERTA aluminium have already been shipped from the pilot industrial site of the Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter (KrAZ) to the SAYANAL foil rolling plant, where it will be used in the production of the premium foil brand SAYANA. “Rusal keeps moving towards carbon neutrality, and we do our best to assist our partners in achieving their decarbonisation goals. We increase production volumes of ALLOW INERTA aluminium. Our extra low carbon footprint aluminium is becoming essential for companies prioritising sustainability goals in their supply chains. By incorporating primary aluminium with...
The 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) is an event that brings together experts, activists, and stakeholders worldwide to address climate change issues. The discussions will include sustainable practices, reducing emissions, and the role of industries in achieving climate goals. It's an excellent opportunity to learn about innovative solutions and be a part of this critical platform that will help pave the way for a greener tomorrow for the aluminium industry. Japanese industrial giant Hitachi has pledged to produce all of its products in Japan using "green aluminium" made through less carbon-intensive processes than conventional methods. The company aims to achieve this goal by March 2024 and reduce its carbon footprint in order to achieve net-zero carbon emissions...
Background Though the industrial production of aluminium in a reduction cell was started in the 1850s, the computer control of reduction cells did not start until the 1960s. There are several systems used today, of which most are supplied as a package by the technology provider. There are, therefore, very few independent pot control providers, including smelter in-house developed systems. There are essentially no systems for pot technologies operating with less than 200 kA. Nevertheless, there are challenges that all primary aluminium smelters face that can be attenuated with an effective pot control system. The APC+™ system by MetSol is an effective solution. The Process Control System The ADVANCE PROCESS CONTROL PLUS (APC+™) system was developed by MetSol as a solution to three major...
Norsk Hydro signed an agreement with Sanvira Tech LLC to ensure a consistent supply of carbon anodes from Oman for its Norwegian aluminium smelters. The deal stipulates an initial offtake duration of 8 years and will include a maximum of 25 per cent of the total annual use of about 600,000 tonnes of carbon anodes by Hydro's Norwegian smelters. The anodes will be manufactured at Sanvira's upcoming anode facility in Oman, which is now being built. The plant is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. BALCO, a subsidiary of Indian aluminium company Vedanta, incorporated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) into their transportation operations, ensuring risk-free inter-plant movements. This AI technology will play a vital role in...
Rio Tinto and Giampaolo Group have created the Matalco joint venture, aiming to meet the ever-growing demand from manufacturers for low-carbon materials. Combining the strengths of North America's largest primary and secondary aluminium producers, this partnership stands as an inspiration for the industry to strive towards sustainability. Rio Tinto's acquisition of a 50% equity stake in Matalco for $700 million, subject to usual closing adjustments, marks a significant step forward in this journey. Rio Tinto is excited to announce the launch of Matalco products, which will allow the company to offer its esteemed customers a comprehensive range of aluminium products. Their product suite will include low-carbon primary aluminium produced with hydropower and a diverse range of recycled...
According to the latest update, Norsk Hydro has completed the transaction of US$1.11 billion with Glencore for the sale of 30 per cent interest in Alunorte alumina refinery and 5 per cent interest in Brazilian bauxite producer and exporter Mineracão Rio do Norte (MRN). The transaction also includes the sale of an additional 40 per cent stake in MRN, which Hydro had to purchase first and then sell to Glencore on the condition that it would no longer have an ownership position in MRN. Around mid-November, the companies received unconditional approval from relevant competition authorities , including Brazil, China, Germany, and Austria, for the partnership over Alunorte and MRN acquisition. “We are looking forward to work with Glencore to further develop Alunorte. Glencore has broad...
According to the International Aluminium Institute data, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during October 2023 stood at 1.17 million tonnes, reflecting a rise of 2.63 per cent month-on-month. The output rebounded in the said month to return to the production volume in August. In September, Africa & Asia’s alumina production stood at 1.14 million tonnes versus 1.17 million tonnes in the previous month. The production decline in September was a continuation as alumina output in August also decreased by 0.85 per cent from 1.18 million tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during October 2023 was also 0.85 per cent down from 1.18 million tonnes. In the first ten months of 2023, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) amounted...
South African billionaire family, also known as the Oppenheimer family has bought a majority position in GZ Industries, one of Nigeria's leading aluminium can manufacturers. Jonathan Oppenheimer, the son of Africa's second wealthiest individual, Nicky Oppenheimer, successfully acquired complete control of GZ Industries Ltd., a prominent beverage can manufacturer in Nigeria. This acquisition signifies a strategic investment in potentially revitalising Africa's largest economy. While the agreement's exact financial details are unknown, the private equity group previously had a substantial 37.5 per cent share in GZ Industries; a crucial provider of cans to big corporations, including Coca-Cola Co. GZ began its activities in Nigeria in 2019. Ayodeji Adelakun holds the position of Executive...
Norwegian aluminium and energy giant Norsk Hydro, in a recent development, has partnered with Michigan-based recycling firm Padnos, forming the Joint Venture (JV) "Alusort LLC" to make complete utilisation of Hydro's in-house sorting machine, Hysort. This venture will be fundamental in commercialising "Hydro's proprietary sorting technology, HySort, bringing this advanced aluminium sorting technology to the United States." It was notified that the fifty-fifty joint venture would be utilising Padnos' existing facility in Grandville, Michigan, for the instalment of Hydro's proprietary sorting machine, Hysort. Hydro has assorted a capital investment of almost $4 million, and it is also confident that the Hysort production line will be activated by 2024. The President and CEO of Hydro, Hilde...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced that Otto Fuchs KG has been accredited against the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) with an emphasis on Material Stewardship and the ASI Chain of Custody Standard V1 (2017), according to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). Entities are now evaluated to Principles 1-4 of the Performance Standard V3 due to the transitional period of Performance Standard Material Stewardship certificates from V2 (2017) to V3 (2022). Except for the Casthouse/Foundry, the audit scope for the Performance Standard V3 Certification includes all design and production operations. "We congratulate OTTO FUCHS KG on achieving ASI Performance Standard Certification with a focus on Material Stewardship for its facility in Meinerzhagen, as well as Chain of...
