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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According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Jamaica's Mining and Quarrying industry recorded a significant 33.6 per cent increase in export earnings during the first quarter of 2024. The sector's earnings climbed to US$148.7 million, up from US$111.3 million in the same period last year. This growth was primarily driven by a substantial rise in alumina exports, which reached a value of US$132.2 million. This marks a notable increase from the US$89.2 million earned in the first quarter of 2023. Alumina, a key export for Jamaica, played a pivotal role in bolstering the industry's performance. However, the positive trend in alumina was slightly offset by a decrease in bauxite exports, which fell by 1.9%. The value of bauxite exports for the quarter stood at US$15.3 million....
Alpha HPA has officially begun work on transforming its Gladstone-based project into one of the world's largest single-site ultra-high-purity alumina refineries. The Company's Managing Director, Rimas Kairaitis, announced on August 8, 2024, that site establishment is underway, with substantial funding secured to progress towards full-scale production. Key earthworks and civil contractors have commenced site establishment activities, signalling the imminent start of project earthworks. "Contractors have started mobilising equipment and support infrastructure, and Ergon has begun burying power lines ahead of earthworks commencement," Kairaitis stated. He added that Alpha HPA's construction management team is now fully established in Gladstone. This construction milestone follows a...
The residents of several communities in south-west Western Australia have joined forces to oppose South32's future mining projects, citing growing concerns about Worsley Alumina. Residents of the Shires of Boddington, Wandering, and Williams, located approximately 130 kilometres southeast of Perth, are represented by Locals for Environmental Action and Protection (LEAP). LEAP emerged last year in response to intensified mining activities at Worsley Alumina, including the installation of a haul road over Pinjarra-Williams Road. Worsley Alumina is an integrated bauxite mining and alumina refining operation in the Southwest of Western Australia. Founded in 1984, it is today recognised as one of the largest alumina refineries in the world. Since its formation, LEAP has been actively engaging...
Alcoa has announced plans to modernise its Poços de Caldas (MG) plant from August to December this year, focusing on enhancing operational excellence and energy efficiency. The investment will involve replacing two ageing Ingersoll-Rand compressors, which have been used since 1975, with five new, state-of-the-art Gardner models. This upgrade will bring numerous benefits, including a daily reduction of 8,360 kWh in electricity consumption. It will also improve air quality by reducing humidity, extending equipment lifespan, and decreasing noise levels through cabin-mounted devices. Additionally, the project is expected to save approximately 240 m³ of water per day, cut R$25,000 annually in chemical product consumption, and lower health risks. “The implementation of this project is an...
Utkal Alumina, a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, organised an Annual Entrepreneurship Conclave under Project Udyamee on July 27, 2024, at Rayagada, focusing on empowering communities and driving inclusive growth. About 283 entrepreneurs attended the event, showing great enthusiasm and commitment to entrepreneurial development in the tribal hinterland. The event was presided by Mr Rabi Mishra, Unit Head of Utkal Alumina, as the chief guest, in the presence of Mr Bijay Kumar Sahu, GM RIC, Rayagada; Mr Kanhu Charan Sahu, CFME DIC, Rayagada; Mr Siba Mahapatra, Cluster CSR Head; Ms Lopamudra Mishra, Utkal Alumina CSR Head, Ms Niharika Sahu, Mines CSR Head and EDIT members. Project Udyamee was started on June 16, 2021, by Utkal Alumina in association with EDI to encourage...
In the first half of 2024, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) demonstrated an annual increase of 9.48 per cent, primarily due to robust output in the first quarter. According to the International Aluminium Institute, Africa & Asia’s alumina production in Q1 was 7.9 per cent higher than in Q2. A sharp decline in production in April 2024, reaching as low as 997,000 tonnes, negatively impacted the Q2 figures. Although output recovered in May and June, it could not fully offset the drop seen in April. Africa & Asia’s alumina production in Q2 2024 totalled 3.348 million tonnes, compared to 3.613 million tonnes in Q1. However, on a year-on-year basis, the Q2 2024 output edged an increase of 3.3 per cent from 3.241 million tonnes, making up for the H1 output totalling 6.961 million...
Alcoa, a Pittsburgh-based industrial corporation and the global industry leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products, has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Alumina Limited. This strategic move enhances Alcoa's position as a leading pure-play upstream aluminium company, reinforcing its market leadership. The binding Scheme Implementation Deed with Alumina Limited was signed on March 11, 2024 . "Alcoa is proud to announce the completion of our first major acquisition. The acquisition of Alumina Limited strengthens Alcoa's position as one of the world's largest bauxite and alumina producers and is expected to result in long-term value creation from greater financial and operational flexibility. I want to thank both the Alcoa and Alumina Limited teams, and our...
World alumina output in the first half of 2024 scaled up 2.34 per cent year-on-year, owing to enormous production above 12 million tonnes in March and May 2024. Almost all the leading alumina-producing regions, except for Oceania, drove the worldwide alumina production hike in H1. Overview of H1 output According to the International Aluminium Institute data, the world alumina production in H1 2024 totalled 70.965 million tonnes, of which 58 per cent was contributed by China. Compared to the past year, global alumina production grew by 2.34 per cent in H1 2024, while China’s contribution to the output remained essentially unchanged in comparison with 57.97 per cent last year. The contribution of Oceania to the H1 alumina production decreased year-on-year from 13.51 per cent to 12.50 per...
According to China customs data, China's alumina exports in June 2024 trended up M-o-M by 54.78 per cent to reach 157,100 tonnes versus 101,500 tonnes in May. The latest hike brought the country's cumulative exports during January-June to 810,700 tonnes. However, China's alumina imports in June decreased by 58.8 per cent month over month, amounting to 37,700 tonnes. Also, the import volume slumped by 13.93 per cent year-over-year. From January to June, China's total alumina imports stood at 1.185 million tonnes, up 56.04 per cent from the corresponding period of the previous year. Net imports of alumina in June were 119,400 tonnes, bringing the cumulative six months volume to 374,300 tonnes. Among the sources, Australia topped the list in June, supplying 31,500 tonnes, which accounted for...
In June 2024 (30 days), China's metallurgical-grade alumina output dipped 2.1 per cent M-o-M, standing at 6.842 million tonnes versus 6.989 million tonnes. However, on a year-on-year basis, the production in June 2024 edged an increase of 5.91 per cent from 6.46 million tonnes, according to the Shanghai Metals Market survey. The average daily production in June 2024 was 228,100 tonnes per day, down by 4,900 tonnes from 233,000 tonnes in May 2024 but up by 13,100 tonnes from 215,000 tonnes in June 2023 . Combining China's alumina output in each month of H1 2024, the country's total production of the ore amounted to 40.293 million tonnes, up 3.84 per cent Y-o-Y. At the end of June, China's installed capacity for metallurgical-grade alumina was 100.6 million tonnes, with an operating...
The Jamaican Minister of State for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, Hon. Frank Witter, has emphasised the critical role of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) in the research and governance of bauxite residue management. At the opening ceremony of the JBI International Workshop on Bauxite Residue and Red Mud Disposal Legacy Issues, held at the ROK Hotel in downtown Kingston on July 15, Witter commended the institute's significant contributions to tackling the environmental challenges associated with bauxite mining. The Minister said, "Through regular reviews of the industry's environmental performance, JBI ensures necessary corrective actions are implemented. Furthermore, the Institute promotes research and development to identify new technologies for cleaner, more...
On Friday, July 12, Century Aluminum announced that its bauxite mining and alumina refining joint venture, Jamalco, resumed full production after recovering from the impact of the recent devastative cyclone Hurricane Beryl in Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl pounded upon Jamaica on July 3, bringing intense winds and heavy rain. Century Aluminum said that its JV witnessed no injuries or significant damages at its production facilities due to the cyclone. It also does not expect to face a material impact on its financial results. Century’s President and CEO Jesse Gary, said: “I want to say thank you to the entire Jamalco team who did a remarkable job preparing for and operating safely through this major storm.” He added, While we are thankful that our employees are safe and that no significant...
Alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) showcased an encouraging month-on-month rebound during May 2024, following a plunge in the previous month. The output surpassed the 1 million tonnes level but did not match the production volume in January, February, and March. According to the International Aluminium Institute, Africa & Asia’s alumina output in May recorded a significant growth of 12 per cent over a month, reaching 1.117 million tonnes. Annually, the production increased by 3.43 per cent from 1.080 million tonnes. However, despite the positive trend, May production lagged behind January, February, and March output by about 10 per cent, 5 per cent, and 8 per cent, respectively. From January to May 2024, Africa & Asia (ex-China) produced 5.727 million tonnes of alumina, up...
The world's alumina production once again crossed the 12 million tonnes level in May 2024 (31 calendar days), close to the output in March 2024, reflecting a month-on-month increase of 2.43 per cent. During the same period last year, the world's alumina output was also above 12 million tonnes but slightly less than this year, showing a marginal difference of 0.19 per cent. However, it is to be noted here that although the output in May 2024 nearly matches the production of last year but the overall trend of this year through the five months demonstrated much positive than in the previous year. Thus, the year-to-date world's alumina production of 2024 totalled 58.974 million tonnes, up by 2.52 per cent from 57.522 million tonnes in the earlier year, found the International Aluminium...
Vedanta Aluminium's efforts to conserve energy and protect the environment in operations at Lanjigarh alumina refinery have recently received special recognition from Kalinga Awards: Environment. According to a report, India's largest aluminium producer has bagged two accolades—the Kalinga Energy Excellence Award and the Kalinga Environment Excellence Award, presented by the Institute of Quality and Environment Management (IQEMS) in association with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board and the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), Hyderabad. Vedanta's Lanjigarh refinery is India's one of the most premier producers of smelter-grade alumina. Till date, it has undertaken several initiatives aligned with Vedanta Aluminium's sustainability goals such as Net Zero Carbon by 2050, Net Water...
China achieved a record-high production of primary aluminium, reaching 3.65 million tonnes in May 2024, comparable to output levels seen in August and September of the previous year. This surge is bolstered by the restarting of smelters in Yunnan after a prolonged shutdown, promising an annual output of 43 million tonnes. However, this upward trajectory has significantly affected the alumina market, the key raw material for aluminium production, resulting in constrained supply and fluctuating ore prices. Alumina price movement Throughout May 2024, China's average alumina price surged, recording a growth rate of 13.24 per cent. According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the domestic alumina price increased over a month from RMB 3,451 per tonne to RMB 3,908 per tonne, reaching its highest...
In the very recent Science and Technology Award of China Environmental Protection Federation 2023, Chinalco Shandong received prestigious recognition by winning the first prize for its scientific and technological progress in the comprehensive red mud utilisation project "Green Technology and Engineering Demonstration of Efficient Production of New Powder Materials by Bayer Process Red Mud". In recent times, Chinalco Shandong has employed new development concepts to strengthen the research on the comprehensive utilisation of red mud while prioritising ecology. The project "Green Technology and Engineering Demonstration of Efficient Production of New Powder Materials by Bayer Process Red Mud" encompasses a study of the physical and chemical structure of a complex element system of red mud...
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) received a disturbing video early on June 24, 2024, showing the greenish-coloured, polluted waters of the Rio Cobre at Zephyrton, St. Catherine. The Rio Cobre is a river in Jamaica. Its source is Rose Hall Mountain in the northeast of Saint Catherine Parish, and the headwaters are a writhing of unnamed, seasonally dry tributaries. The footage, captured by a member of the Friends of Rio Cobre, was promptly forwarded to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Senator Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation, and members of the media. In swift response, NEPA and NFA dispatched a team to the site to collect water quality samples and assess the situation....
