Domestic spot alumina prices edged down slightly last week amid flat trading activity. Recent alumina price movements were mainly attributed to earlier concentrated restocking by downstream buyers, which has led to accumulating inventories at rail stations and smelters. Coupled with supply-side maintenance-driven output cuts that are still building, readily available spot volumes have tightened relatively. Only sporadic tender deals were heard recently, leaving prices in a temporary steady phase. On the bauxite front, domestic ore prices saw limited movement last week. Supply-side bottlenecks are unlikely to ease in the near term, with mines prioritising captive supply, leaving little excess spot material available. For imported ore, freight rates rebounded slightly and consecutively last...
The global aluminium supply chain is facing a series of changes that extend from bauxite mines and alumina refineries to smelters, regional premiums and finished-metal trade. In 2026, the market’s direction is being shaped not only by production volumes but also by freight costs, export restrictions, shifting Chinese demand and tariffs. Developments across Guinea, Australia, China, Europe and North America point to a market where access to supply is increasingly as important as the availability of raw materials. Bauxite supply: Guinea’s cap meets a well-stocked China, but is it stable? Guinea remains central to the seaborne bauxite market, with its shipment connections to China demonstrating the importance of reliable logistics. A new sea-rail route has enabled a Guinea bauxite shipment...
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Impact Minerals Limited (ASX: IPT) appointed its new Executive Director, Scott Phegan, on December 12. A chemical engineer with over 30 years of experience in alumina, bauxite, and speciality materials, and global expertise in technical work, operations and project development, he is expected to contribute to the HiPurA® HPA processing technology and succeed in high-purity alumina extraction. Image source: https://au.linkedin.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Having spent a large part of his career at Alcoa, he fulfilled roles of senior leadership and operations across Australia, Brazil and the US. These included multibillion-dollar technology upgrades, refinery expansions and operational turnarounds. Consequently, he...
Scientific Reports recently published a research paper explaining that Bayer red mud (BRM) from the Shandong Xinfa Group can be used as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. The market performance and environmental implications are positive, but the results of long-term implementations are yet to be ascertained. Image generated with AI tool (for referential purpose only) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The primary solid waste generated from alumina production is red mud. Out of this, Bayer red mud constitutes approximately 70 per cent of it. It can be challenging for reuse purposes, with its strong alkalinity, richness in carbon and low calcium deposit. Safe application is limited due to the high alkaline nature,...
The story of alumina production in 2025 played out much the way analysts had expected, even if the year didn’t unfold in a straight line. Smelter-grade alumina production was projected at about 143.3 million tonnes, as per AL Circle report and by October the International Aluminium Institute had already recorded 119 million tonnes alumina. Production fluctuated from month to month, creating an irregular trajectory: alumina output began 2025 at 12.23 Mt in January, fell 9.45 per cent in February to 11.08 million tonnes, then rebounded 8.6 per cent in March to 12.03 million tonnes before slipping 4.76 per cent in April to 11.46 million tonnes. The middle of the year was steadier — May edged up 2.68 per cent to 11.76 million tonnes, June dipped 0.38 per cent to 11.72 million tonnes, and July...
Widely used in ball mills for ceramics, minerals, pigments and chemicals, the alumina grinding balls are the hero, but what affects their performance? The alumina content in the alumina grinding balls is the most critical factor which can affect the performance, mainly when it ranges from 75 per cent to 95 per cent. The real difference is within the formation, where if the alumina content is higher, it means hardness and better wear resistance, but there are more nuances that need attention first. From powdered potential to mighty milling warriors Alumina balls are usually made from high-quality alumina powders, likely calcined α-alumina or the refined industrial alumina. The alumina content, which typically ranges from 65 per cent to over 99 per cent, increases along with its purity and...
Western Australia’s alumina industry has emerged as one of the quiet stabilisers of the state’s resources sector in 2024–25, securing its second-highest sales value on record at USD 8.2 billion despite lower production volumes. New figures from the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) show that stronger pricing helped offset operational softness, allowing alumina to hold its ground in a year defined by volatility across several commodities. The broader resources sector delivered USD 220 billion in total sales for the financial year, supported by more than 134,000 on-site full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. But within that landscape, alumina’s performance stood out for its resilience. While gold and mineral sands enjoyed record highs and iron ore continued to dominate, alumina...
At Resourcing Tomorrow, the Anchor of the London Mining Week, which brings the global mining industry leaders together for sourcing metals and minerals that power the future, showcased a latest conversation centring around High Purity Alumina (HPA). In this, an interesting conversation with the managing director of Impact Minerals, Dr Mike Jones, highlights the progress of its latest project on its Lake Hope HPA in Western Australia. Latest updates of Lake Hope HPA Pre-feasibility study on the Lake Hope High Purity Alumina has been completed, delivering a billion-dollar NPV in Australian dollars. Acquiring proprietary processing technologies from a failed competitor, which is deemed to be a fantastic match for the back end of the Lake Hope feedstock, which shall further aid in improving...
Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organisation (IMIDRO) has reported 133,483 tonnes of alumina powder production for the first seven months of the Iranian calendar year spanning, March 21–September 22. Earlier, the agency had logged 114,153 tonnes for the first half of the year. A year before that (March 20 to November 20) by late November, that total production had moved up to 159,416 tonnes, only slightly ahead of the 152,293 tonnes seen in the same period last year. Also, Iran is getting ready to finally start work on its biggest alumina project so far at the Parsian Special Economic Zone. The start date depends on a final round of clearances from government authorities and the Supreme Economic Council, but officials are expecting the green light before the...
Indonesia is rich in bauxite. That is no news. It has been exporting bauxite to leading aluminium-producing countries for years. That is no news either. It imposed a ban on its bauxite export back in 2023. While that creates a whirl for a while, the world has re-strategised and found its bauxite (whether the deficit has been completely replenished or not, we will come to that later)! But a product export that once generated over USD 600 million for Indonesia is now running at nil. Au contraire, the nation’s alumina import (a product derived from bauxite and is further refined to produce aluminium) has peaked in the past two years (2023-2024). Image source: https://www.exportgenius.in/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain In...
Rio Tinto will significantly reduce production at its Yarwun alumina refinery in Queensland by 40 per cent from October 2026. The move is expected to stretch the refinery’s life to 2035 and give the company more time to look at ways to modernise the site and possibly extend its life even further. The company chose not to expand because it would be far too expensive right now. By reducing output, the refinery’s current waste areas — which would have filled up by 2031 — will last longer, giving Rio Tinto an extra four years to find long-term solutions. The cutback comes at a time when Australia’s metals processing sector is under pressure from high power and labour costs, weighing on margins and discouraging major capital spending. At the same time, Rio Tinto is managing through alumina...
According to the International Aluminium Association, metallurgical-grade alumina output was 21.3 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, then dipped a little in Q2 to 21 million tonnes, only to jump noticeably in Q3, reaching 22.7 million tonnes — an 8.17 per cent increase from the previous quarter. Compared with last year’s third quarter, when China produced 20.91 million tonnes, the latest Q3 total stands 8.86 per cent higher. The monthly trail reveals how the turnaround took shape. January opened at 7.3 million tonnes, but February sank to 6.7 million tonnes — roughly a 7.7 per cent fall — before production bounced back to 7.325 million tonnes in March, up 8.6 per cent. April dipped again to 6.8 million tonnes, though May and June clawed back the loss with 7 million and 7.12...
The world alumina production concluded the third quarter of 2025 with a positive trajectory, overcoming a soft September thanks to strong output in July and August when the volume reached an all-time high . Although primary aluminium production slowed, alumina output remained tightly aligned with consumption trends. Strong momentum keeps alumina output aligned with consumption According to the International Aluminium Insitute, the world alumina production volume in Q3 2025 amounted to 39.387 million tonnes versus 37.225 million tonnes, reflecting a Q-o-Q rise of 5.81 per cent. While metallurgical-grade climbed up from 34.937 million tonnes to 37.002 million tonnes, chemical-grade grew from 2.288 million tonnes to 2.385 million tonnes. Through the first nine months, the output also showed...
Along the Mississippi River, located near Gramercy, the bauxite refinery, which has been in continuous distress since the beginning of this year, is now served with a lawsuit in the federal court. This has been initiated by the regional environmental group concerning its ponds of "red mud" waste. As per the claims initiated by the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, the series of identified problems was first pinpointed by the state regulators located in the Atlantic Alumina or popularly known as Atalco. This indicates improper care concerning the impact of the operations taking place in the St. John and St. James, the Baptist parishes. With this lawsuit, the environmental group is working towards ensuring that the state forces are incorporating effective solutions that are relevant...
Guinea is about to begin a new chapter with its first generation of alumina refineries, aiming to end decades of raw bauxite exports and finally capture more value at home. Image for representational purpose For years, the West African nation has served as a supplier of high-quality bauxite — prized for its low silica content — to foreign refineries, particularly in China. Around 60 per cent of Guinea’s bauxite currently heads to Chinese ports, feeding the country’s vast aluminium industry. But that dynamic is about to shift. “We are the biggest bauxite producer in the world now… but we don’t have any refineries built since colonial times,” Mines Minister Bouna Sylla said. “That will change.” Conakry has already signed its first alumina refinery deal with China’s state-owned SPIC, with...
India's one of the most prominent players in segments like bauxite, alumina, aluminium and power, National Aluminium Company (NALCO) reported a surge in its stock price by 13 per cent during the intraday trading on November 10, 2025. The rise in the share price comes soon after the firm revealed its Q2 FY26 financial performance. Share price on November 10, 2025 With a market cap of INR 465.95 billion (USD 5.61 billion), NALCO's share on November 10, 2025, closed at INR 257.35 (USD 3.10), showing a sharp increase of 9.46 per cent. Compared with the previous day's close, which recorded INR 234.40 (USD 2.82), the open gap recorded a rise of 2.49 per cent, where on November 9, the share price reached the intraday high of INR 259.65 (USD 3.13). Explore- Most accurate data to drive business...
The decline in output mainly reflected extended calciner suspensions in Hebei and Henan provinces triggered by ongoing air pollution alerts, as well as production adjustments in Shandong province, market sources said. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain In response to air pollution warnings initially scheduled to be lifted at the end of October, two alumina producers in Henan's Luoyang and Hebei's Tangshan each halted two calciners for 3-4 days during the prior week, as reported. When the two cities issued renewed smog alerts on November 3 and 4, the suspensions were extended through last week, further curbing output. In addition, a refiner in Shandong began a three-week maintenance check on one calciner early last week due to...
As per news sources, a cloudy, rust-coloured plume, roughly the size of a football field, was discharged from the Atalco alumina refinery into the Mississippi River last week, raising fresh alarm over environmental oversight at the nation’s only operating alumina refinery. State records show the discharge was “dangerously caustic” and well above federal limits, extending a month-long trend of non-compliance at the facility. A pattern of persistent breaches Located around 45 miles west of New Orleans, Atalco converts bauxite into alumina for aluminium production. Even so, even with this critical industrial role, it has faced heightened scrutiny for repeated toxic discharges and workplace safety lapses. Aerial images taken on October 21, 2025, showed white alumina residue and swirling...
The export prices in Australia have declined by 0.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, after a 4.5 per cent decline in Q2. This has marked the second time decline in the same year, owing to several factors influencing Australia’s trade scenario. The fall in the export prices was largely driven by a decline in the prices of alumina and bauxite. The price of alumina has declined from USD 375 per tonne in Q2 to USD 358 per tonne in Q3. In addition, the price of bauxite has also decreased from USD 95 per tonne in Q2 to USD 75.2 per tonne in Q3. The alumina and bauxite became more available with less shortage, leading to a drop in prices. The overall price of metalliferous ores and metal scrap declined by 0.5 per cent, primarily due to a decline in alumina and bauxite prices- key raw...
Century Aluminium’s Jamalco joint venture in Clarendon, Jamaica, has moved back into normal operations after a controlled suspension due to Hurricane Melissa. Production was reduced ahead of the storm as part of its preparedness plan. No injuries or material damage occurred at Jamalco’s refinery, mines or port operations, allowing a safe and quick restart. Jesse Gary, Century’s President and CEO, praised the safety-first approach. “I’m proud of the Jamalco team’s preparedness and pre-storm actions which kept our employees safe and helped mitigate the impact of Hurricane Melissa on our facilities,” he said. He added that the company is supporting affected local communities alongside the Jamaican Government and Clarendon Alumina Production Limited (CAP). Operations are now building back up....
