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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The Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC), based in Awaso in the Western North Region, is gearing up to transform the local industry with plans to build a state-of-the-art alumina refinery. This bold move promises to supercharge domestic processing capabilities and break Ghana's reliance on foreign refineries, marking a powerful step toward unlocking the full potential of the country's rich bauxite reserves. A commendable move by GBC The government has praised the leadership of Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) at Awaso for taking a bold step towards building an alumina refinery, an initiative to transform the country's bauxite industry. "The refinery will significantly improve our operations and contribute meaningfully to Ghana's economy. It will allow us to process bauxite locally, create jobs,...
Alpha HPA has marked a landmark moment in the evolution of its Stage Two HPA (High Purity Alumina) First Project in Gladstone, awarding a flagship $20 million-plus concrete works contract to McCosker Contracting, one of the region's premier civil construction firms. This pivotal partnership places McCosker at the forefront of building the cutting-edge high-purity alumina facility, tapping into the company's deep local expertise and workforce. More than just a contract, this deal exemplifies Alpha HPA's unwavering dedication to championing local industry and driving economic growth in Gladstone. With McCosker's trusted team delivering every major concrete element, the project is poised to unlock significant regional opportunities — a powerful boost for the community and a bold step forward...
In a blow to Australia’s aggressive multinational tax crackdown, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has abandoned its six-year-long legal fight with Alcoa over alleged transfer pricing abuses, marking a rare high-stakes defeat for Canberra in its broader battle against US corporate giants. With Alcoa now set to receive USD 107 million in tax refunds, the decision has reverberated through both the aluminium sector and the global tax justice landscape. Image for representational purposes only But beneath the surface of a billion-dollar ruling lies a deeper narrative, one that cuts across resource nationalism, transfer pricing frameworks, and a geopolitical tug-of-war over who gets to tax global profits in the age of cross-border supply chains. The dispute and what was at stake At the...
Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Corporation, a global leader in the bauxite, alumina, and aluminium industry, has announced a major update on its ongoing proposal to expand mining operations (Huntly mine) near the Serpentine Dam, a key source of drinking water for Perth. Aimed at supplying the Pinjarra alumina refinery until 2045, the proposal to expand mining operations near the Serpentine Dam has been opened for public comment by Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). With this expansion, Alcoa plans to increase production at its refinery in Pinjarra over the next 20 years. Alcoa has put forward plans to expand mining in three regions, namely Myara North, Holyoake, and O'Neil, and to increase alumina production at its Pinjarra refinery through to 2045. In addition, the...
The global calcined alumina market is poised for significant growth, driven by expanding applications across various industries and strategic moves by key players. The calcined alumina market is experiencing robust expansion. Projections indicate growth from approximately USD 16.82 billion in 2025 to USD 28.56 billion by 2032, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.86 per cent. This surge is attributed to increased demand in sectors such as ceramics, electronics, and refractories, where calcined alumina's properties—like high hardness and thermal stability—are highly valued. Key Applications Driving Demand Advanced Ceramics: Calcined alumina enhances thermal resistance and mechanical strength in ceramics, making it indispensable in automotive, aerospace, and medical device...
In April 2025, the world alumina production, including chemical and metallurgical-grade, totalled 12.407 million tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month downfall of 2.48 per cent from 12.723 million tonnes, found the International Aluminium Institute. Of the total alumina output, metallurgical-grade production volume was 11.614 million tonnes, which was also down by 3 per cent M-o-M from 11.974 million tonnes. Meanwhile, the chemical-grade alumina production in April 2025 registered an increase of 5.87 per cent from 749,000 tonnes to 793,000 tonnes. Even on an annual basis, the world’s chemical-grade alumina production grew by 3.12 per cent from 769,000 tonnes, and that of metallurgical-grade alumina output decreased by 3.83 per cent from 11.186 million tonnes. The output of...
Western Australia is riding a wave of record-breaking growth, with its booming resources sector now employing nearly 136,000 people, the highest number in the state's history. In 2024 alone, the mining industry hit a new milestone, clocking 135,693 on-site full-time equivalent (FTE) roles. That marks an impressive eight years of consecutive employment growth. Adding to the surge, the exploration sector contributed another 4,263 on-site FTE positions, while the petroleum industry brought in 7,870 more. Driving this employment upswing are key commodities like alumina, bauxite, iron ore, gold, lithium, and nickel, each playing a vital role in fuelling both the job market and the economy. Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael hailed the achievement, noting that Western Australia's...
Primero Group, a leading engineering and construction company, has been awarded the tank design, fabrication, testing, and delivery package for South32’s Biological Oxalate Destruction (BOD) Project at the Worsley Alumina Refinery near Collie in Western Australia. Image for representation purposes only The BOD Project aims to implement a new process for managing sodium oxalate, a byproduct of alumina refining. This initiative utilises technology similar to that employed at Alcoa’s Pinjarra and Wagerup refineries, promising environmental benefits for ongoing operations at Worsley. Primero will collaborate with its sister company, RCR, based in Bunbury, to execute the project, thereby supporting local employment in the South-West region. The partnership underscores a commitment to regional...
In a significant step towards modernising India’s port logistics and advancing sustainable trade, Vizag Multipurpose Terminal — a joint venture between India Potash Ltd and J M Baxi Ports & Logistics — has signed a strategic agreement with Hindalco Industries. Together, they will develop India’s first fully-automated, sustainable alumina handling facility at the EQ-07 berth of Visakhapatnam Port. Image Source: J M Baxi Group / Linkedln The new terminal will be the first in India to offer fully mechanised alumina handling, removing the need for manual operations and streamlining cargo movement. By shifting from road to rail, the facility will enable the transport of alumina from Hindalco’s refinery in Odisha directly to the port via railway rakes, improving operational efficiency while...
This article highlights the sharp contrast between South and North America’s alumina production, offering an in-depth analysis of the region’s market dynamics against the backdrop of prevailing tariffs. In the first quarter of 2025, the total production of alumina across the Americas showed a downward trend compared to both the previous quarter and the same period last year. Data from the International Aluminium Institute reveals that output totalled 1.36 million tonnes, marking a 1.9 per cent decline from the previous quarter and a 0.87 per cent drop year-on-year. Of the total alumina production in Q1 across the Americas, North America accounted for 72 per cent with 979,000 tonnes of output, while South America contributed the rest with 381,000 tonnes. IAI data indicates alumina...
According to the International Aluminium Institute, the world alumina production concluded the first quarter of 2025 with an annual increase of 5.61 per cent, totalling 75.42 million tonnes versus 71.41 million tonnes. This output volume encompassed both chemical and metallurgical-grade alumina. While the output of chemical-grade alumina amounted to 2.17 million tonnes, accounting for 2.9 per cent, the production of metallurgical-grade totalled 35.538 million tonnes, contributing 47.18 per cent to the total alumina output volume. Year-on-year, the world’s metallurgical-grade alumina production rose each month through the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating an increase of 5.9 per cent Y-o-Y from 33.552 million tonnes. In January, output rose 8 per cent over the year from 11.379 million...
Impact Minerals Limited (ASX: IPT) has entered the final quarter of FY 2025 with Lake Hope firmly established as its flagship high-purity alumina (HPA) asset. A maiden Mineral Resource Estimate of 2.78 million tonnes at 25.1 per cent Al₂O₃ not only confirms the scale and grade of the deposit, but also underpins what the company describes as a “multi-decade HPA operation” in one of Western Australia’s most bedrock-secure jurisdictions. Over the three months to March 31, Impact clinched an AUD 2.87 million CRC-P grant to co-fund the pilot-plant design and construction in partnership with CPC Engineering and Edith Cowan University (ECU). That partnership has now recruited a senior membrane researcher, whose initial focus will be to dial in the first-stage leaching conditions of Lake Hope...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad anticipates a continued easing of the tight alumina supply this year, driven by rising global production. Group CEO Tan Sri Koon Poh Keong expects new refinery capacity expansions in Indonesia, India, and China to significantly boost alumina output globally. “This increase in supply is driving down high alumina prices, alleviating pressure on aluminium production costs,” said Koon Poh Keong in the company’s financial year ended Dec 31, 2024 (FY24), annual report. Koon noted that rising alumina prices in 2024—fuelled by temporary supply disruptions and heightened freight costs due to port congestion and geopolitical tensions—posed a major operational challenge for global aluminium producers. The average market price of alumina reached US$ 501 per...
According to data from the US Geological Survey, the United States' imported 1.34 million tonnes of alumina in 2024, showing a slight decline from 1.36 million tonnes in 2023. This year-on-year dip occurred despite Australia emerging as one of the top suppliers of the ore to the US starting in the third quarter of the year. Quarterly performance: a mixed bag The United States’ alumina imports saw back-to-back growth in the second and third quarter of 2024, amounting to 325,000 tonnes and 378,000 tonnes, respectively. It was in Q4 when the import volumes decreased by 7 per cent Q-o-Q to 352,000 tonnes, offsetting the 16 per cent growth in the previous two quarters. Even on an annual basis, the imports in Q4 dropped by 2 per cent from 359,000 tonnes to 352,000 tonnes. Similarly, the imports...
In the heart of Gramercy, Louisiana, a silent struggle unfolds. Atlantic Alumina’s refinery, the last remaining alumina plant in the United States, is grappling with the heavy toll of shifting trade policies on metal, cars and dozens of foreign exporters. What was once a thriving symbol of industrial resilience now stands at the crossroads of uncertainty and with it, the lives of more than 550 workers hang in the balance. Image source: Atalco Atlantic Alumina, or Atalco, is the last operating alumina refinery in the US, between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. With 550 workers, the plant processes Jamaican bauxite into alumina, a white, sugar-like compound essential for making primary aluminium. Atalco supplies nearly 40 per cent of the nation's alumina needs. But despite its critical role,...
The global alumina market has endured a dramatic roller‑coaster in early 2025, witnessing a severe price slump in the first quarter and a raft of fresh supply hitting the market in the recent weeks. While analysts now eye a price floor in coming months, forecast revisions evidently highlights the fragility of near-term price momentum. This AI-generated image is for representational purposes only As of April 16, the benchmark price for Australian alumina stood at USD 347.50 per tonne on a FOB (Free on Board) basis — the price that covers the cost of transporting the goods to the port and loading them onto the ship, with the buyer covering the cost from that point onwards. This price point represents nearly a 50 per cent drop from where it stood at the beginning of January. In comparison,...
Geomega Resources, in partnership with Rio Tinto, has made significant progress on its bauxite residue valorisation pilot project, which was launched in March 2022. The process is structured into three sequential circuits, each undergoing individual testing and scale-up. Depending on the composition of their bauxite residue and strategic goals, refinery clients will have the flexibility to license Circuit 1 alone, a combination of Circuits 1 and 2, or the full suite of Circuits 1 through 3. Circuit 1 (C1) targets the removal of alkalinity and enables the recovery of key offtake materials such as sodium, calcium, aluminium, and silica. This circuit alone contributes to a reduction of 10 per cent to 30 per cent in the overall waste volume. Circuit 2 (C2) focuses on the extraction and...
Imagine you’re at a bustling party where everyone is milling about randomly—no one’s dancing together. Now, picture a friend rolling out a long, narrow carpet and suddenly, people line up and start waltzing in pairs. That’s a bit like what happened on early Earth, only the ‘carpet’ was a mineral called α‑alumina, and the dancers were the building blocks of life. α‑Alumina (a form of aluminium oxide) is one of the most common minerals in Earth’s crust — think of it as the ‘everyday rock’ hiding beneath our feet and in clay, sand, and even the gritty surface of your kitchen countertop. Scientists have now shown that its flat, orderly surfaces could have served as nature’s own dance floor for simple molecules. The big mystery has always been how lone amino acids, tiny molecules like glycine,...
