National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) is advancing its INR 30,000 crore or INR 300 billion (USD 3.18 billion) aluminium smelter expansion project at Anugola or Angul, Odisha, which is expected to more than double its existing smelting capacity from 460,000 tonnes per annum to approximately 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The Navratna public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Mines has secured key statutory approvals and initiated partnerships and preparatory measures for the project, which is targeted to begin operations in 2030-31. A recent meeting of the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) focused on facilitating land acquisition for the proposed facility and addressing associated compensation and rehabilitation matters. Explore the...
Impact Minerals has proposed changing its corporate name to Altrica Advanced Materials as it sharpens its focus on high-purity alumina (HPA) development. The proposed rebranding reflects the company's strategic shift towards its 80 per cent-owned Lake Hope project in Western Australia, which has become its principal priority for management attention and development capital. The name change will require shareholder approval through a special resolution at the company's annual general meeting scheduled for November 30, 2026. The proposal follows an October strategic review that established a clearer direction for the company's HPA activities while separating them from its earlier focus on precious and base metals exploration. Lake Hope remains central to HPA development strategy The Lake...
Grow with
AL Circle
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, an American producer of semi-fabricated speciality aluminium products, published its quarterly and consolidated nine-month results of 2022 last week, wherein it reported net sales for Q3 at $749 million compared to $954 million in Q2 and $751 million in Q3 2021. That reflected a quarterly downfall of 21.5 per cent and annually 0.27 per cent, in line with the decrease in shipments by 15.82 per cent Q-o-Q and 10.48 per cent Y-o-Y to 282 million lbs. Value-added revenue, however, increased over the year by 16 per cent to $356 million, primarily driven by higher pricing to mitigate inflationary costs. Value-added revenue for the company’s aerospace/high strength applications also grew by 5 per cent to $86 million despite a decrease in shipments. That mirrored a...
On October 24, 2022, Hilde Merete Aasheim, the President and CEO of the Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro called on the United States and the European Union to halt importing Russian aluminium onto their territories. According to the Hydro chief, around half of Europe's primary aluminium production has been cut down due to the soaring energy costs following the Ukraine-Russian geopolitical crisis, and adversely, Russian aluminium production remained unaffected. Russia's sole primary aluminium producer, Rusal, produces around 6% of the world's aluminium. However, this metal has not been targeted by Western sanctions against Russia following the border crisis with Ukraine. The CEO said, "We want to urge sanctions in Europe and the US. Our European industry shuts down, while ... we...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,180 per tonne on Tuesday, with its high and low at US$2,250 per tonne and US$2,156.5 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,215 per tonne, an increase of US$38 per tonne or 1.75 per cent. On October 25, Tuesday LME aluminium cash bid price went up the graph by US$12 per tonne or 0.56 per cent to peg at US$2,170 per tonne, and the LME aluminium official settlement price also escalated by US$10.50 per tonne or 0.49 per cent to rest at US$2,170.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price increased by US$12 per tonne or 0.55 per cent to close at US$2,190 per tonne, followed by a 0.6 per cent or US$13 per tonne rise in the 3-month offer price, which stood at US$2,192 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price witnessed a US$10 per tonne or 0.44 per...
Czech energy drink maker, Big Shock! has utilised the new H!GHEND technology by Ardagh Metal Packaging to produce a special edition aluminium beverage can eulogising the launch of First Person Shooter (FPS) game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. The Czech Republic and Slovakian partnership has enabled Big Shock! in creating this limited edition 500ml can, which has a military colour scheme with black and green strains all over it reminding us of the game’s eternal glory. Not just the attractive colour scheme, but the Big Shock! #2 energy drink comes with a ‘hidden’ link embedded on one side of the shell – a special feature which was solely possible due to Ardagh’s latest H!GHEND technology. Buyers would be surprised to find a black promotional tab placed under the bright green end of the...
Social inventories of primary aluminium in China amounted to 626,000 tonnes across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, on Monday, October 24, according to the Shanghai Metals Market. SMM found the inventories decreased by 10,000 tonnes over the weekend but edged 6,000 tonnes higher than at the end of September. On a week-on-week basis, the inventories on October 24 were 38,000 tonnes lower than 664,000 tonnes. The continued downfall in inventories could be attributed to hindered transportation due to COVID restrictions. The Gongyi Railway Station in Henan province is currently in lockdown, with cargoes being banned from entering or leaving. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: In Gongyi and Nanhai,...
Bolt has collaborated with Tanel Veenre, a renowned Estonian designer, to remodel its retired scooters into fashion jewellery. With his indomitable expertise, the award-winning designer has put together the "Hardwear collection" that features almost 100 hand-crafted bracelets, earrings and pendants. The aircraft-grade aluminium used in 230,000 Bolt scooters would be very skilfully transformed to create these lightweight, durable and shiny pieces of art. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, and this has instigated many big players to transform their base raw material into the same. The designer has to remove the green paint from Bolt scooter bodies before beginning his fundamental activity of reshaping the metal. Tanel, to lend a personal touch, then goes on to anodize and paint the...
As the transportation industry is increasingly shifting its preference to lightweight and lower carbon emissions, the usage of aluminium castings is gaining notable importance for obvious reasons like high strength and infinitely recyclable. One of the distinguishing features of castings from other forms of aluminium is its ability to absorb large volumes of recycled aluminium produced from post-consumer scrap. Castings produced from recycled aluminium are used in mainstream automobile applications such as engines and wheels. Flexibility, fine surface finish, and high quality are some of the other factors that make aluminium castings popular in the automobile sector. It has been found that the average aluminium usage per car has grown significantly over the years and castings are the most...
The resurgence of the Covid pandemic across China has significantly impacted secondary aluminium-producing companies in the Henan province. According to an SMM survey, the pandemic generally affected the production and shipment of secondary aluminium facilities in the local area. A company in Shangqiu City, Henan, focuses on remelted aluminium billets production with a capacity of 55,000 tonnes per year and a monthly output of 4,500 tonnes. It has maintained average production, but if the pandemic stretches, it may cut output for risk evasion in the following two months at a time when aluminium scrap prices are surging, and aluminium prices are volatile. In a Yongcheng-Henan-based facility, with a capacity of 110,000 tonnes of ADC12 secondary aluminium per year and a monthly output of...
One of the biggest enterprises in Dubai serving the commodities market and providing mining, power and energy services, Dubal Holding has signed an initial deal with the investment corporation, Imdaad to develop projects aimed at boosting Dubai's sustainability objectives. The UAE is ready to invest Dh600 billion (US$163.5 billion) to enhance clean and renewable energy projects over the next thirty years with an endeavour to achieve net zero by 2050. Having an incredible budget of Dh74.5 billion (US$20.3 billion), the UAE has launched the Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021-2041 this year. Around Dh70.5 billion would be yielded from the private sector only. Dubai has already introduced programmes to increase the country's recycling rate in order to meet emissions and sustainability...
On October 24, 2022, Luhut Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Indonesia, stated that the island nation's export is anticipated to cross $300 billion by 2024 as the government is getting ready to ban bauxite exports, among other commodities, to encourage investment in local manufacturing sectors. He further added that exports could surpass a record $280 billion this year, with nickel-based steel shipments growing sharply after the country banned nickel ore exports. In contrast, loads of other commodities got a boost from high prices. Indonesia lacked alumina production due to a lack of infrastructure development. However, in 2015, Indonesia’s first alumina refinery started its commercial operations. The second phase of a China Hongqiao Group alumina...
Three-month LME aluminium opened at US$2,227.50 per tonne, with the highest and lowest prices at US$2,234.50 per tonne and US$2,170.50 per tonne before closing at US$2,177 per tonne, down US$41.50 per tonne or 1.87 per cent. On Monday, October 24, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price inched up by US$3 per tonne and US$4.50 per tonne, respectively, to initiate the week at US$2,158 per tonne and US$2,160 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price settled at US$2,178 per tonne and US$2,179 per tonne, up by US$3.50 per tonne from the previous day. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price increased by US$7 per tonne to peg at US$2,262 per tonne and US$2,267 per tonne as of October 24. LME aluminium opening stock slipped 475 tonnes to total...
On October 24, 2022, five European industry associations stated that they had urged European authorities to stave off sanctions, tariffs or boycotts against Russian aluminium. Otherwise, it might create a situation where thousands of companies would go out of business, and develop unemployment. The Russian aluminium giant, Rusal's output is considered to be around 6% of the total world's aluminium production. However, this aluminium company has not been earmarked by western sanctions against Russia following the geopolitical crisis with Ukraine. Conversely, the United States is considering restrictions on Russian aluminium imports. In contrast, the world's biggest metal trade hub, the London Metal Exchange (LME), is asking members if it should ban Russian metal from its system. Although...
The third hull in the Firstline family from VisionF Yachts, the all-aluminium-built VisionF 80 BLCK, was on display at both the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show. The outside lines of the VisionF 80 BLCK, especially when paired with the matte black painting in the Black Edition, are one of the yacht's most striking features. The external surfaces of a composite boat would get uncomfortably hot as a result, whereas the aluminium hull effectively dissipates surplus heat into the sea. One of their key benefits is the enormous amount of main deck space on catamarans, particularly for family cruising. The VisionF Black Edition is slightly less than 24 metres long, with a maximum beam of 9.9 metres and a shallow draught of 0.80 metres. It has a roomy cockpit area with seating for...
HMD Global, a Finnish company that secured Nokia branding rights in late 2016, introduced a new mid-range smartphone in Thailand titled Nokia X30 5G. The new eco-friendly smartphone comprises recycled materials like aluminium and plastic from the case to the packaging. The rear cover is plastic with 65 per cent recycling, and the aluminium frames are 100 per cent recyclable. Paper from recycled sources made up the entire box and packing. "Consumers are changing their ideas and behaviours, choosing products and services that are friendlier to the environment. We determined a competitive price point and provided quality camera features that are similar to 30,000-baht range smartphones," said Mr Paradorn. HMD Global's business development manager, Paradorn Ramaboot, stated that the company...
Hindalco Industries’ aluminium products prices suffered a loss of INR 6,000 per tonne on October 22, the same amount as they grew by the previous day. Therefore, the company’s aluminium billets price came in at INR 219,600 per tonne on Saturday, October 22, versus INR 225,600 per tonne on Friday, October 21. Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price stood at INR 216,600 per tonne on October 22 compared to INR 222,600 per tonne on the previous day. Aluminium ingot price was no exception but also saw a cut of INR 6,000 per tonne on Saturday, October 22, to peg at INR 205,500 per tonne. Hindalco Industries Limited reduced its aluminium prices in response to a sharp downfall of US$98.50 per tonne in the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchage on Friday. The price thus, slipped...
The global resources company, SOUTH32, stated that sales of aluminium and manganese from its South African operations shrank in the first quarter of its 2023 financial year due to port congestion and reduced third-party rail availability. In comparison with the previous quarter, aluminium sales dipped 18% to 162,000 tonnes, while manganese sales narrowed by 8% to 473,000 tonnes. As a result of Covid-19 absenteeism, a lack of parts and equipment, as well as constant theft and sabotage by criminal gangs, South Africa's state-owned rail and port operator Transnet has struggled to maintain volumes. In the past, South32 has trucked manganese from its mines in the Northern Cape. In the event of a decline in manganese prices, this route may be less effective, and there may be more disruption to...
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s primary aluminium production rose 9.3 per cent year-on-year in September 2022 to stand at 3.42 million tonnes, as smelters in a few major regions ramped up output after the ease of power restrictions. Last year, China saw a drop in aluminium production as several regions imposed power curbs on energy-intensive industries like aluminium production due to electricity shortages. Even smelting hubs like Yunnan and Inner Mongolia had to order restrictions to meet energy consumption targets. This year, despite a year-on-year increase, September output still dropped from the previous month by 2.5 per cent from 3.51 million tonnes, especially because Yunnan asked its aluminium producers to cut power usage from September 10 for indefinite...
The African-focused mineral exploration company Canyon Resources has been granted a 'Certificate of Environmental Compliance' (CEC) for its world-class Minim-Martap Bauxite Project by the Ministry of Environment. A detailed Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was conducted by Canyon Resources (Canyon) through its 100% owned subsidiary Camalco S.A. The ESIA included extensive public consultation of multiple stakeholders and related communities. Jean-Sebastien Boutet, the Chief Executive Officer, said: “It is gratifying to see the steady progress occurring because of our rigorous and systematic approach. Signing the Certificate of Environmental Compliance is another demonstration of the momentum the company is building through our positive interaction with all stakeholders in...
