Rio Tinto and Rondo Energy have commenced front-end engineering and design for a 30 MW/360 MWh thermal energy storage project at the Yarwun alumina refinery near Gladstone, Queensland, marking a potential milestone in the use of heat batteries to reduce emissions from alumina refining. The Rondo Heat Battery will store energy as high-temperature heat in refractory bricks and supply continuous process heat to support Rio Tinto’s alumina refining operations. If progressed, the project would be one of the first large-scale demonstrations of thermal energy storage for industrial process heat globally and a world-first for the alumina industry. Heat batteries target round-the-clock industrial demand Australia regularly experiences four to six hours of surplus solar-generated renewable...
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin are testing a new type of concrete made using red mud, a residue from alumina refining. The project, supported by Enterprise Ireland and carried out with Gannon Eco and McGrath Quarries, has progressed from laboratory research to trials using industrial batching equipment. The university reported on 22 October that the geopolymer concrete formulations reduced the carbon footprint by 67.8–79.8 per cent against a CEM II-A/L cement reference. The comparison included raw material supply, transport and manufacturing. To know the futuristic market and value proposition of red mud, explore the report " A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations " Laboratory tests also found that the...
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In January 2022, world alumina production totalled 11.569 million tonnes, down by only 0.13 per cent from 11.584 million tonnes in December 2021 and 0.46 per cent less than 11.622 million tonnes in January 2021, found the International Aluminium Institute data. In the full-year 2021, world alumina output amounted to 138.077 million tonnes, up by 3.76 per cent from 133.078 million tonnes a year ago. The world’s daily average alumina production in January 2022 came in at 373,200 tonnes, seeing a month-on-month dip of 500 tonnes from 373,700 tonnes. China, the world’s leading producer of alumina, churned out 6.250 million tonnes in January 2022, marginally up by 0.11 per cent from 6.243 million tonnes a month ago. But compared to the same period last year, the output stood the same at 6.250...
On Monday, February 28, Russian aluminium producer Rusal, the world’s top metal producer ex-China, suspended alumina shipments from its Nikolaev refinery in Ukraine, resulting in increased supply disruptions across the alumina and aluminium market, reported consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie. Ami Shivkar, the principal analyst in Wood Mackenzie’s aluminium team, said alumina produced at Nikolaev refinery is transported to Rusal’s aluminium smelters in Russia, supporting 900 thousand tonnes per annum of output, which is 23 per cent of Rusal’s primary aluminium production. However, Shivkar noted that “a halt in alumina shipments doesn’t mean an immediate cut in smelter output although the supply chain in Russia is tight, with weeks of alumina stocks on site rather than months.” He added that...
On 25 th February 2022, the Mumbai, India headquartered Hindalco Industries publicized that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with Terrabel Empreedimentos Ltda, to divest the entire equity shareholding of Hindalco Do Brazil Industria Comercia de Alumina LTDA (HDB). Terrabel Empreedimentos Ltda, a Brazilian firm who are in the business of commercial and industrial machinery and equipment rental and leasing. The Brazil-based Hindalco Do Brazil Industria Comercia de Alumina with its head office in Ouro Preto is a wholly owned step-down subsidiary of Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, and is the world's largest aluminium rolling and recycling company. However, the consideration received from disposal is one Brazilian real, whereas,...
The sudden hike in the number of events in alumina segment is primarily due to the anticipation of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. The conflict has stirred the raw material industry greatly, causing record breaking inflation in prices of raw materials. Apart from this, looking at the current scenario, Irish businesses are concerned about their financial sanctions against Russia as Rusal’s Aughinish alumina refinery in the Shannon Estuary, Europe's largest, may find itself in the sanctions red zone since it sends 45% of its aluminium production raw material to European markets. Also, Rio Tinto owned Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL), one of Australia's major alumina refineries, is concerned about the prospect of penalties. Rio Tinto owns a majority of the alumina refinery and has...
The anticipation of sanctions is on the fear radar of one of Australia’s largest alumina refineries, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL). The alumina refinery is majorly owned by Rio Tinto, who has alerted of an emerging turmoil to its aluminium business, while the Russian aluminium giant Rusal is the 20% stakeholder of QAL. The Gladstone, Australia based Queensland Alumina Limited operates a refinery, which was earlier been imposed with US sanctions in 2018. However, there has been no comment yet from QAL in regards to the sanctions or if any impact they are countering or predicting for the company. Notwithstanding, on 23 rd February 2022, the 80% stakeholder of QAL, Rio Tinto, has informed the investors that it was anxious about the soaring tensions, that is developing very tough...
The average alumina spot price in China has plunged by RMB 42 per tonne to score at RMB 3,236 per tonne on Thursday, February 24, found the Shanghai Metals Market. In Shandong, alumina price has nosedived by RMB 90 per tonne to come in at RMB 3,205 per tonne, while the price in Shanxi and Henan has decreased by RMB 50 per tonne and RMB 40 per tonne to peg at RMB 3,200 per tonne and RMB 3,275 per tonne, respectively. In Guizhou, on the other hand, alumina spot price has inched down by RMB 10 per tonne to stand at RMB 3,290 per tonne, with average prices likely to range between RMB 3,280 per tonne and RMB 3,300 per tonne. The Australian alumina FOB price has, however, continued to remain restrained at US$425 per tonne, learned SMM. But despite the sharp fall in alumina spot price, A00...
Following the succession of diplomatic entries to the Kremlin over the past few weeks, in regards to the standoff between Russia and Ukraine steering a manifestly dangerous whirl with the progress by Vladimir Putin, the Russian President to count that the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk will become independent republics. However, the European Union and the United States are concluding their first round of economic sanctions and more wide-ranging sanctions will be clasp in reserve to be applied if Russia progresses further with armed aggression against Ukraine. Now, looking at the circumstances, the Irish businesses are dismayed over the financial sanctions against Russia that will unsettle their supply chains, at a moment when international shipping was already depressed due to...
Freight prices may continue high for the remainder of 2022, eroding margins that helped Alumina Limited post a more than 28% increase in annual earnings last year. The net profit for the year ending December 31 increased to $US187.6 million ($260.7 million) from $US146.6 million the previous year. Alumina Limited will pay a final dividend of US2.8, down from US2.9 last year. The only asset Alumina Limited has is a 40% investment in AWAC, which controls a global portfolio of bauxite mining, alumina refineries, and an aluminium smelter in Portland, Victoria. AWAC reported an increase of 11% in yearly profit to $US443.8 million, boosted by record aluminium prices but hampered by higher freight costs. Due to COVID-19-induced supply chain bottlenecks and interruptions, the cost of exporting...
The Minister for Transport and Mining of Jamaica, Audley Shaw stated his gratification that despite the negative impacts of the previous year’s fire at Jamalco, the refinery has been able to safeguard the jobs of around 1,000 employees. Audley Shaw while speaking to a local media said, “I am glad that, despite the fire, which has closed down the operations, we have still kept 1,000 workers on the job, doing maintenance, upgrading, and other types of work, which keeps them occupied. So I commended them for that and, of course, they are to reopen sometime in the summer.” “Jamalco plant currently falls under the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, under whose portfolio is the Government-owned Clarendon Alumina Production (CAP) Limited, which shares a 45% to 55% ownership of the...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, alumina production in China during January 2022 came in at 6.5 million tonnes, of which metallurgical-grade alumina stood at 6.28 million tonnes. That was a month-on-month decline of 1.26 per cent from 6.36 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina. SMM also showed the average daily metallurgical-grade alumina output was 203,000 tonnes, down by 1.3 per cent M-o-M but 10.4 per cent more on the year. China’s alumina output in January was affected by the air pollution prevention and control policy, which impacted the production stability of roasting machines in Shanxi, Shandong, and Henan. Nonetheless, the total alumina output in China was offset by stable production in southwest China. Meanwhile, a strong rally of domestic alumina prices since...
India’s largest producer of aluminium and value-added products, Vedanta Aluminium will join forces with cement, construction and infrastructure industries for the gainful application of its by-products - fly-ash, the fallout in thermal power generation and bauxite-residue, the aftereffect of producing alumina from bauxite. During a national-level webinar, which was organized in association with global industry experts and contenders from the cement industry, the company also endeavoured interest from cement manufacturers for establishing integrated cement plants or cement clinker grinding/blending/processing units conjoining to its plants in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Aluminium is a ceaseless process industry, while the accessibility to the company's operations will provide cement producers...
On 10 th February 2022, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) made public that it will commence construction of a pilot plant where bauxite residue, a waste material from alumina refining would be transformed into soil products that can be utilized for greening and other eco-friendly purposes in the UAE. However, the metal company stated, “EGA’s pilot plant, which will be in Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi, is expected to be operational in 2023.” EGA’s pilot plant is conceptualized to be an elemental in the world, which follows five years of research & development (R&D) by EGA in association with The University of Queensland’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. The revolutionary procedure transposes bauxite residue in its entirety in hours into environmentally and plant-friendly soil. As per the...
The joint venture of Ras-Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) and Penna Group of Companies, Anrak Aluminium Limited (AAL) following several implicates is hard-pressed in making efforts to commission its 1.5 million tonne alumina refinery set up at Rachapalli, which is around 80 km away from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The company, went into the turbulent situation with a loan of INR 3,461 crore it borrowed from a consortium of banks led by SBI, has eventually manifested to commission the refinery set up at Rachapalli in Makavarapalem Mandal, about 80 km from Visakhapatnam in 2013 with an estimated Capex of around INR 6,000 crore. As per our sources, “The management has already imported 'adequate' quantity of bauxite ore to operate the refinery, which was lying idle following...
The groups of local campaigners in Limerick, Ireland stated their protest for any expansion of Rusal owned Aughinish alumina’s refinery, as the alliance raised their voice for the objectionable environmental risk to the Shannon estuary and the health of local people. On 7 th February 2022, Pat Geoghegan, the spokesperson of Cappagh Farmers Support Group, commented during the virtual protest meeting, “The expansion being sought by the operation of Russian owners, Rusal, and it would lead to a further build-up of toxic material at the site near Askeaton, Co Limerick.” The expansion of the largest alumina refinery in Europe is contemplated as strategic infrastructure development, so the company endeavoured planning approval from ‘An Bord Pleanála’, Ireland’s national independent planning...
In December 2021, alumina production in Europe (incl. Russia) stood at 888,000 tonnes, up by 50,000 tonnes or 5.63 per cent month-on-month, found the International Aluminium Institute. In November, the output came in at 838,000 tonnes, 3.9 per cent less than 872,000 tonnes in October. On a year-on-year basis, alumina production in Europe (incl. Russia) in December 2021 stood 0.45 per cent down than 892,000 tonnes. In the fourth quarter of 2021 (October-December), alumina output in Europe (incl. Russia) amounted to 2.598 million tonnes, 1.85 per cent down from 2.647 million tonnes in Q3 2021 and 0.46 per cent less than 2.610 million tonnes in Q4 2020. Europe’s total alumina production in H2 2021 came in at 5.245 million, in contrast to 5.155 million tonnes in H1 2021. That was an increase...
On 1 st February 2022, the Minister of Finance and the Public Service of Jamaica, Dr Nigel Clarke asserted to the ‘House of Representatives’ that the proceeding of reconstruction at the Government's part-owned bauxite/alumina company Jamalco is on course. Dr Clarke, while countering to questions from Phillip Paulwell, the opposition spokesman on mining and energy said, “The recovery process will take place over three phases, starting in June this year.” He said, “In terms of phase one, JAMALCO expects the recommencement of operations at up to 50% of capacity, using steam from a set of boilers now being installed.” “It is expected that mining operations and associated jobs will begin to be restored in the weeks before the resumption of production.” He also informed the House that by the...
Ducon Infratechnologies Limited, India's premier Fossil Fuel/Coal Clean Technology Business, has announced that National Aluminium Company (NALCO), a Central Government Enterprise, and a Navaratna have awarded the company contracts in its Bulk Material Handling Segment. Ducon will take on Lumpsum Turnkey projects for Alumina Handling & Wagon Loading Package at NALCO Damanjodi Refinery and Alumina Handling Package at Vizag Port, using its cutting-edge technologies. The deal is projected to bring in between Rs 125 and Rs 150 crore in income for the firm. Ducon has worked with NALCO since 2002 and has completed a number of projects for them. In addition, Ducon is now working on a project at NALCO's Aluminium Smelter in Angul, Orissa, which will be the company's second Alumina Handling...
In December 2021, alumina production in South America stood at 1.004 million tonnes, climbing up by 6.24 per cent month-on-month, found the International Aluminium Institute. In November, the output was 945,000 tonnes, down by 40,000 tonnes or 4.06 per cent from 985,000 tonnes in October 2021. On the other hand, on a year-on-year calculation, alumina production in South America in December 2021 stood 9.06 per cent less than 1.104 million tonnes. From October to December 2021 (Q4), South America’s alumina production totalled 2.934 million tonnes, which reflected quarter-on-quarter increase of 3.67 per cent from 2.83 million tonnes. But on a year-on-year basis, the output edged a downfall of 2.52 per cent from 3.010 million tonnes. In the entire year 2021, South America churned out 12.111...
