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...
Grow with
AL Circle
Currently, if anything is grabbing the maximum attention in the upstream aluminium sector, it is the unprecedented price surge in China's alumina prices. Both domestic and imported prices have skyrocketed over the week, transforming the market dynamics and raising concerns among primary aluminium producers about escalating production costs. According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China's domestic average alumina price has skyrocketed by RMB 1,035 per tonne on a year-on-year comparison, reaching RMB 3,968 per tonne as of September 13. The significant growth phenomenon primarily started in late August on account of excessive demand due to increasing primary aluminium production, coupled with production disruption of the ore due to bauxite supply constraints. The imported alumina FOB...
The Trafigura Group, a key player in the commodity market, asserts that the surge in alumina prices significantly reshapes the outlook for aluminium prices. The price of alumina—derived from mined bauxite and used in aluminium smelting—skyrocketed by 50 per cent in 2024, reaching its highest level since March 2022. This sharp increase has been fuelled by production disruptions at alumina refineries and rising demand from aluminium smelters. Despite this, aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange have remained relatively stagnant year-to-date. However, the escalating cost of alumina is placing significant financial pressure on smelters that don't have their own supply, potentially straining the broader industry. This growing commercial burden raises concerns about the long-term...
The Japan-headquartered chemical company Sumitomo Chemical has announced a significant reorganisation of its business structure, which will take effect on October 1, 2024. The company plans to streamline its current five business sectors into four, aiming to better address societal challenges related to food, information and communication technology (ICT), healthcare, and the environment. The restructured organisation will feature four key sectors: Agro & Life Solutions, ICT & Mobility Solutions, Advanced Medical Solutions, and Essential & Green Materials. The ICT & Mobility Solutions sector will integrate IT-related chemicals with high-purity aluminium and alumina, speciality chemicals, high-performance engineering plastics, and battery materials from the Energy & Functional Materials...
On Sunday, September 8, a hopper filled with coal collapsed at an alumina refinery owned by Maa Kudargarhi Group in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district, taking away the lives of four workers. A hopper, which is also referred to as a bunker by workers, is used to store fuel like coal or rice husk in large quantities. As per preliminary information, one such steel hopper collapsed on ten men working beneath it. Four lost lives were retrieved from the site, while the remaining six were found survived. Of them, one was critically injured and rushed to the hospital, and the five others managed to escape unharmed, said a police officer. He added the accident took place due to negligence as per the first impression. The police officer also said the deceased were from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar....
After surpassing 7 million tonnes in July 2024, China's metallurgical-grade alumina production continued its upward trajectory in August, showing a month-on-month increase of 0.67 per cent, according to the Shanghai Metals Market. On a year-on-year basis, the output in August registered a hike of 2.82 per cent. According to SMM data, China's alumina production in August 2024 stood at around 7.22 million tonnes versus 7.173 million tonnes in July. At the end of August, China's metallurgical-grade alumina capacity stood stable at around 100.6 million tonnes, with the operating capacity up by 0.81 per cent M-o-M. The operating rate was 84.63 per cent, compared to 83.5 per cent in July. From January to August, China's total alumina production amounted to approximately 54.686 million tonnes,...
China is already home to more than 80 million tonnes of alumina capacity. So much so that the industry is struggling to source enough bauxite to satisfy demand. So, it's not particularly good timing for new alumina refining capacity to enter the market, but that's exactly what's happening. Markets change, of course, but built capacity rarely does. So perhaps the proprietors of new alumina capacity are hoping that the price will remain high but with better sources of ore coming their way. The problem is that China has a capacity cap of 45 million tonnes on primary metal, which equates to almost 90 million tonnes of alumina. Right now, the Chinese are also supplying Russia, but that's not a sustainable market. Eventually, the war will end, and sanctions will finally be lifted. However, the...
In July 2024, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) recorded a month-on-month decline of 1.95 per cent, yet stood above 1.2 million tonnes, unlike in April and May when the region's alumina output was at 997,000 tonnes and 1.117 million tonnes, respectively. However, on an annual basis, the output grew by 4.49 per cent, leading to a greater contribution to the world alumina production, accounting for 9.95 per cent in July 2024 versus 9.5 per cent in July 2023. According to the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during July 2024 was 1.209 million tonnes versus 1.233 million tonnes in June and 1.157 million tonnes in July 2023. The daily average production in July 2024 was 392,100 tonnes, down by 2.37 per cent from 401,600 tonnes a...
Alpha HPA has officially begun the second stage of construction on what is set to become the world's largest single-site ultra-high purity aluminium materials refinery. The company that has redefined the standard of aluminium purification to produce sustainable, ultra-high purity aluminium products – available in commercial quantities, Alpha HPA, has marked a significant milestone in developing its high-purity alumina plant. With substantial financial backing that includes a $400 million debt facility from the Australian Government and $180 million raised in equity, Alpha HPA is poised to transform the 10-hectare site into a state-of-the-art facility. The plant will build upon the foundations of the established stage one operation, utilising Alpha HPA's proprietary, Australian-developed...
Vibrantz Technologies, Inc., a leading global technology leader in colour solutions, functional coatings, and speciality minerals, announced on August 30 that it acquired Micro Abrasives Corporation, a Westfield, Massachusetts-based speciality alumina manufacturer. Micro Abrasives specialises in making calcined alumina used in the automotive refinishing, optics polishing and industrial lapping markets. The company operates two facilities, one in Westfield, Massachusetts, and the other in Alexandria, Louisiana, with over 50 employees. Established in 1957, Mirco Abrasives has developed 25 different product lines in 60 years that have applications in our everyday items like cellphones, computers, flooring, countertops, toothpaste, and automobiles, as well as in high-tech products such as...
According to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the world’s alumina production rose steadily in July 2024 on a month-on-month basis but reflected a fall annually. As per the data revealed by IAI, Oceania was a primary factor for the monthly growth or annual fall in July alumina production worldwide. The output in Oceania grew in July month-on-month by 8.89 per cent from 1.327 million tonnes to 1.445 million tonnes, while it fell year-on-year by 11.24 per cent from 1.628 million tonnes. The world’s alumina production in July 2024 stood at 12.155 million tonnes, up by 0.88 per cent from 12.049 million tonnes in June 2024 but down from 12.167 million tonnes in July 2023. However, the annual fall in the world’s July 2024 alumina output was largely offset by the increase in...
Rio Tinto Gove, Australia's leading alumina extraction facility, has significantly enhanced its process efficiency and safety protocols by adopting Rhosonics' Slurry Density Meter (SDM) technology. This cutting-edge solution replaces traditional radioactive density meters, offering a safer, more accurate, and environmentally friendly method for measuring density in alumina extraction. Previously, Rio Tinto Gove encountered significant challenges with radioactive density measurement methods, which not only posed safety risks to employees but also introduced operational limitations that impacted the reliability of the extraction process. To address these issues, the facility sought a precise, non-radioactive alternative that could ensure optimal efficiency without compromising safety....
Three mining companies in Indonesia are now facing penalties due to delays in completing their refinery projects, following findings in the 2023 Audit Report by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). The report highlighted potential non-tax state revenue from administrative fines related to these delays, amounting to US$129 million (Rp2 trillion), which has yet to be collected. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, emphasised that alumina refinery construction was expected to be completed by 2023. While companies that missed this deadline are still being granted export permits, they must meet special conditions based on the progress of their refinery construction. These companies are typically subject to fines. Indonesia Business Post (IBP) reported that the ESDM...
ABx Group, a uniquely positioned, high-tech Australian company delivering materials for a cleaner future, recently advocated rare earth elements, green metals like aluminium, and clean energy from the perspective of environmental well-being. ABx Group's managing director, Dr Mark Cooksey, took the discussion straight to the Parliament House, explaining Australia can become a clean energy superpower just by increasing aluminium production and supporting local rare earth projects. Representing the aluminium industry, Dr Cooksey illustrated their roadmap to develop local rare earth supply chains. In addition, he explained the role of ABx Group in the Australian Aluminium Council and the importance of aluminium to Australia's sustainable future, and also provided insights into the $474,126.21...
World's largest alumina refinery (outside China), Hydro Alunorte's recent fuel switch project is a key step towards Hydro's climate strategy and aligns with its global commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. As per the reports, Hydro Alunorte's alumina refinery has begun using natural gas in its production process, replacing fuel oil. Alunorte's significant achievement With this, Alunorte has become the first refinery in northern Brazil to produce alumina using natural gas. The R$1.3 billion investment to transition from fuel oil to natural gas at Hydro Alunorte's alumina refinery is set to reduce the refinery's carbon emissions by 30 per cent. "Hydro will become the largest single consumer of natural gas in Brazil and the project reinforces our commitment to...
In June 2024, alumina production in South America reached its highest level in six months, totalling 1.045 million tonnes. This figure represents a 2.85 per cent increase from the previous month and a 19.29 per cent rise compared to June 2023. Notably, this production level reflects a sharp contrast to the lowest output of 876,000 tonnes recorded in June 2023 during the first half of the year. Maintaining an output above 1 million tonnes during April-June 2024, South America registered a total alumina production of 3.094 million tonnes, up by 2.82 per cent from 3.009 million tonnes in Q1 2024 and 10.26 per cent higher than 2.806 million tonnes in Q2 2023. South America’s total alumina production in H1 2024 was 6.103 million tonnes, an increase of 3.86 per cent from 5.876 million tonnes....
Impact Minerals Limited has announced a significant milestone in developing its Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project, located approximately 500 kilometres east of Perth, Western Australia. The company has lodged a Mining Lease Application (MLA 63/684) alongside a Miscellaneous Licence (L63/99), marking a crucial step forward as the project advances towards production. Impact Minerals Limited is emerging as a significant force in the High Purity Alumina (HPA) industry with a steadfast commitment to excellence and a strategic vision to leverage Australia's rich mineral resources. By meticulously selecting projects, conducting thorough evaluations, and maintaining a strong focus on profitability, the company strives to deliver enduring value to its shareholders while fostering...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China's alumina production continued to record an annual rise in July 2024, buoyed by increased operating rates in Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, and Guangxi. In July (31 days), China's metallurgical-grade alumina output was 7.173 million tonnes, registering a month-on-month rise of 4.84 per cent from 6.842 million tonnes and a year-on-year increase of 4.43 per cent. From January to July, China's metallurgical-grade alumina production totalled 47.466 million tonnes, up 3.92 per cent Y-o-Y. The daily average production stood at 231,400 tonnes, an increase of 3,300 tonnes from 228,100 tonnes per day in June. At the end of July, China's metallurgical-grade alumina capacity stood at 100.6 million tonnes, with an operating capacity of 84.46 per cent and...
Indonesia’s state-owned mining holding company, MIND ID, has officially announced that its Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) project is on track to commence operations in September 2024. This project is a critical element of MIND ID’s broader strategy to bolster infrastructure and increase the value of mineral commodities within Indonesia. Melati Sarnita, Director of Business Development at PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), shared that Indonesian President Joko Widodo will visit the project site to mark the commissioning phase of the Mempawah project in West Kalimantan. The President has been formally invited to the site, underscoring the national significance of this initiative. On August 9, 2024, Melati said, “We want to start the bauxite injection process according to plan....
