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 Indonesian state-owned corporation PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), which has a monopoly on electric power distribution in the country, has agreed to supply the energy needs of mining company PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia (BAI) until 2050. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked in the previous week to mark the event. Adi Lumakso, the Regional Business Director for PLN's Sumatra and Kalimantan, said, "This MoU is PLN's commitment to supporting the industrial sector, especially mining. Along with easing the pandemic, we hope this government-private synergy will be able to revive the community's economy." "This MoU between PLN and PT BAI is to prepare electrical energy for the aluminium mining industry. PLN is committed to providing sufficient power to develop the industrial...
The United States imported 484,000 tonnes of alumina in the second quarter of 2022 versus 445,000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year, found the US Census Bureau. According to quarter-on-quarter calculation, that was an increase of 39,000 tonnes or 8.76 per cent. On a yearly basis, the US Q2 alumina imports reflected a surge of 26.37 per cent from 383,000 tonnes. The USGS data also showed the United States’ total import volume of alumina in the first half of 2022 amounted to 929,000 tonnes, registering a hike of 16.27 per cent from 799,000 tonnes a year ago. In Q2 2022, Brazil continued to be the main exporter of alumina to the US, providing 367,000 tonnes. That was 15.05 per cent or 48,000 tonnes more than 319,000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year. In six months, the United...
According to the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in Europe (incl. Russia) stood at 693,000 tonnes in July 2022, which was unchanged from the previous month. However, the output in June saw a monthly downfall of 29,000 tonnes or 4.02 per cent from 722,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, alumina production in Europe (incl. Russia) during July 2022 edged significantly lower by 202,000 tonnes or 22.57 per cent than 895,000 tonnes, found IAI. This yearly plunge or month-on-month restraint could be attributed to production cut at refineries due to power shortage. Daily average production in July was 22,400 tonnes, down by 3.03 per cent from 23,100 tonnes a month ago and 22.49 per cent less than 28,900 tonnes a year earlier. In the first seven months of 2022, alumina...
On 2nd September 2022, Vedanta Limited-Lanjigarh stated that the country's foremost metallurgical grade alumina producer bagged multiple awards for its environmental, healthcare, and education initiatives. The alumina refinery bagged the first prize for ‘Environmental Protection’ at the 22nd Greentech Environment Awards-2022. Moreover, it took home top honours at the 9th Annual CSR India Award 2022 with its impactful initiatives in 'Promotion of Healthcare' and 'Promotion of Education'. GG Pal, the Deputy CEO at Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, said, “Sustainable development through excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance practices is central to how we run our operations at Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh. We believe that our progress as an organization should create a long-term positive...
The global aluminium industry has witnessed some exciting events throughout August 2022. The H1 2022 reports are gradually getting published, and most companies have reported profits showcasing better margins, despite the news of significant production cuts from Europe due to the energy crisis. The month has also witnessed a few pieces of information on facilities planning to shut down. Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s Adani Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Group, has received approval to build a 4 MTPA alumina refinery and 175 MW captive power plant in Odisha. By late 2021 and in the early months of 2022, Slovalco had already decreased its production rate by 40 per cent from its actual yearly capacity of 175,000 tonnes of primary aluminium. Hydro has decided to shut down...
In South America, alumina production surged by 73,000 tonnes or 8.1 per cent month-on-month during July 2022 to stand at 974,000 tonnes, found the International Aluminium Institute. In June, the output was at 901,000 tonnes after being slipped by 57,000 tonnes or 5.95 per cent from 958,000 tonnes in May. On a year-on-year calculation, South America’s alumina production in July 2022 edged 4.42 per cent lower than 1.019 million tonnes a year ago. Daily average production in South America during July 2022 was 31,400 tonnes, up by 1,400 tonnes from 30,000 tonnes in June but down by 1,500 tonnes from 32,900 tonnes in July 2021. Total alumina production in South America from January to July 2022 amounted to 6.607 million tonnes, reflecting a downfall of 10.30 per cent from 7.366 million tonnes...
Aluminium Corporation of China Limited, popularly known as Chalco, has posted higher profit for the first half of 2022 ended June 30, underpinned by increased revenue from alumina and coal production and imported coking coal business. From RMB 3.09 billion or RMB 0.176 per share of Chalco’s profit in H1 2021, it jumped to RMB 3.99 billion or 0.231 per share a year later, according to a filing last week, August 23. That was a significant year-on-year increase of 29.13 per cent. Revenue for the same period reached RMB 145.40 billion, up by 20.34 per cent from RMB 120.82 billion a year earlier, as was anticipated by analysts at RMB 146 billion in a Visible Alpha poll. Talking of each business unit, Chalco’s revenue from alumina rose to RMB 27.96 billion from RMB 24.24 billion, and that from...
Alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) showcased a monthly increase of 5.26 per cent in July 2022, according to the International Aluminium Institute. From 1.141 million tonnes in June, the output grew to 1.201 million tonnes in July. However, the production in June saw a downfall of 5.7 per cent month-on-month from 1.210 million tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during July 2022 recorded a hike as well by 6.76 per cent from 1.125 million tonnes, found IAI. Africa & Asia's average daily alumina production in July’22 amounted to 38,700 tonnes, up by 1.84 per cent month-on-month from 38,000 tonnes and 7.5 per cent more year-on-year than 36,300 tonnes. In the first seven months of 2022, Africa & Asia’s (ex-China) alumina output...
In Ireland, businesses in County Kerry's northern part will have to bear a 50 million euro increase in electricity rates. This winter, 22 large energy firms are expected to absorb the 50 million euro cost of increased electricity prices, including Rusal's Aughinish Alumina refinery in North Kerry. As per our report, large businesses, including Aughinish Alumina, the largest alumina refinery in Europe, may be impacted by increased electricity tariffs from 1st October 2022. It is estimated that the tariffs will generate 100 million euros in revenue. This is one of the proposals the Commission for Regulation of Utilities put forward. In the industry, Rusal Aughinish has always been at the forefront of technology. It consistently implements world-class technologies to remain among the top...
In July 2022, world alumina production totalled 12.152 million tonnes, registering a month-on-month rise of 3.56 per cent, found the International Aluminium Institute. The output in June stood at 11.734 million tonnes, down by 2.69 per cent from 12.058 million tonnes in May. On a year-on-year basis, world alumina production edged 3.52 per cent higher than 11.739 million tonnes. However, world total alumina production in the first seven months of the year reflected a Y-o-Y downfall of 0.86 per cent from 81.132 million tonnes to 80.438 million tonnes, showed IAI data. Daily average production in July 2022 was 392,000 tonnes compared to 391,100 tonnes in June 2022 and 378,700 tonnes in July 2021. China produced 7.05 million tonnes of alumina in July 2022, 3.07 per cent more than 6.84 million...
Trimet France, a subsidiary of Germany-based Trimet Aluminium SE, has leased its older ship unloading device, replacing it with a high-tech Siwertell road-mobile unloader. This will enhance the company’s alumina unloading capacity along the regional ports, lessening the time each vessel spends in transition. This new Siwertell 10 000 S next-generation road-mobile unloader is now active, and its digital and remote control features have helped surpass the estimated earlier capacity. Trimet France can be allocated as one of the largest aluminium producers in Germany and France, with the company’s alumina import facilities in Marseille, France, receiving the highest number of import vessels from Greece or Ireland. The highest volume of an inbound ship is 14,000 gross tonnage, whereas the...
Domestic alumina production recovery in Jamaica is expected to counterpoise the slowdown in economic growth for the financial year 2022-23, caused by the country’s one of the main alumina refineries suspension. The Bank of Jamaica is projecting GDP growth of 2.5-4.5 per cent for the fiscal year ending March 2023. The bank’s governor Richard Byles said in a statement, “The forecasted growth reflects the recent resumption of production at the Jamalco alumina plant” In August 2021, Jamalco had to shut down its operation after a major fire accident but the 1.42 million tonnes refinery has now resumed. Jamalco is a joint venture between General Alumina Jamaica, a member of the Noble Group, and Clarendon Alumina Production, controlled by the Jamaican government. The former owns 55 per cent of...
The Bank of Jamaica, the country's central bank located in Kingston, is projecting 2022/23 fiscal year growth to be between 2.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent. While speaking at BOJ's digital quarterly briefing, Richard Byles, the Governor, said," Growth is also expected to range between one and three per cent for 2023/24. The Governor added, "The economy continues to perform creditably and delivered signs of solid expansion in April to June 2022 quarter and so far, in the September 2022 quarter." "The labour market continues to perform exceptionally, noting that the April 2022 Labour Force Survey out-turns showed that the unemployment rate fell to a historic low of six per cent." Byles also stated that deposit-taking institutions' (DTIs') balance sheets remain well capitalized and in...
GNAL, a joint venture company between Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd (GACL) and National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), was formed to build an 800 TPD (tonnes per day) caustic soda facility at Dahej, Gujrat, along with a 130 MW captive power plant. It was announced that GNAL shipped 1,300 DMT of Caustic Soda to National Aluminium Company Limited through rail from Ankleshwar on 20th August 2022. The process of extracting alumina from bauxite is called refining, which consists of two steps: a digestion process involving caustic soda, which separates aluminium hydroxide from the bauxite residue, and calcining, which removes the water content in the hydroxide. Swaroop P., an IAS Officer and the Managing Director of the Company flagged off the rail rake in the presence of Senior...
The average alumina spot price in China has further dropped over the weekend by RMB 3 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,956 per tonne as of Monday, August 15, found the Shanghai Metals Market. In Shandong, alumina price has plunged by RMB 20 per tonne to start the week at RMB 2,950 per tonne, with average prices likely to range between RMB 2,870 per tonne and RMB 3,030 per tonne. However, other provinces have witnessed no change in the average alumina spot price. The Australian alumina FOB price in China has built up by US$7 per tonne on August 15 to settle at US$333 per tonne after a decrease of USS$4 per tonne to US$326 per tonne on Friday, August 12. A00 aluminium ingot price has plunged by RMB 440 per tonne to come in at RMB 18,230 per tonne on August 15. The average prices are estimated to...
The Indian multinational conglomerate, Adani Group, which already operates ports, airstrips, mining development and gas distribution businesses in Odisha, has received approval from the state government for building an alumina refinery. As a result of the high-level clearance authority (HLCA) led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik's approval, the ten proposals are set to generate about 24,047 jobs with an investment potential of $9.39 billion (INR 74,620 crores). For the state government, the approval came months before the third edition of the Make in Odisha conclave. Adani Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Group, has received approval to build a 4 MTPA alumina refinery and 175 MW captive power station in the bauxite-rich Kashipur area of the Rayagada district. Odisha will...
In July 2022 (31 calendar days), China produced 6.94 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina, which increased by 2.97 per cent month-on-month and 14.11 per cent over a year. But the daily average output in the same month stood slightly down by 0.36 per cent or 800 tonnes from 224,700 tonnes to 223,900 tonnes. The production capacity was 8,171.3 tonnes, while the domestic operating rates were 87 per cent. In individual province like Shandong, alumina output was 2.12 million tonnes, flat from June 2022, attributable to tight supply of raw materials and high purchase prices, resulting in narrow profits for the refineries, due to which the operating rates rarely increased. In Henan, July alumina output rose 6 per cent M-o-M to 738,000 tonnes, while the output in Shanxi grew 2 per cent...
The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has allotted two weeks for the stakeholders and community groups to take a decisive step in ensuring South32’s proposed expansion at its Worsley alumina unit. South32 has extensive plans, including the creation of a bauxite transport corridor at the Boddington bauxite mine along with developing an alternative mining area. The company also plans on increasing the residue storage capacity and the maintenance activities in the refinery near Collie. This expansion of the existing mining areas might result in the deforestation of 4,399 hectares of native flora and fauna-filled landscape. South32, in the past, has claimed that developing the mine could give birth to sustainable bauxite mining, which is beneficial to the future...
