Ghana is seeking investors to establish an alumina refinery, aiming to close a gap in its bauxite-to-aluminium production chain as the country prepares to phase out raw mineral ore exports by 2030. President John Dramani Mahama has identified the absence of domestic alumina refining as a key obstacle to retaining more value from the country’s mineral resources. Speaking during a panel discussion at the 2026 Financial Times Africa Summit on October 21, Mahama said Ghana could no longer rely on exporting raw materials while importing finished products. The government wants more processing to take place locally, creating jobs and expanding industrial activity. “We cannot continue forever to be the exporter of raw materials to the rest of the world and consumers of finished products,” Mahama...
Aughinish Alumina, the Rusal-owned refinery in County Limerick and one of Ireland’s major industrial employers, remains outside the European Commission’s draft 22nd sanctions package against Russia, although pressure to restrict its alumina exports continues. However, the position could change as the European Commission consults EU member states on the proposed measures. Confidential discussions involving Commission officials and senior diplomats from all 27 member states are expected to take place over the coming weeks to assess support for the proposals and consider possible amendments. Alumina export restrictions remain under consideration The debate centres on Aughinish Alumina’s shipments to Russia, where the raw material is processed into aluminium at smelters owned by Rusal....
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AnorTech Inc. has announced a one-year research collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to develop alumina-based catalysts for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture using the company's sustainable alumina. The collaboration follows testing carried out in 2025, during which AnorTech supplied several grades of alumina to the NRC for use in catalysts designed to capture CO2 and convert it into methane through a hydrogenation process. The alumina samples were produced from material sourced from AnorTech's Gronne Bjerg anorthosite project in Greenland and processed at the Lakefield laboratory of SGS Canada Inc. Under the agreement, AnorTech will jointly fund the project and provide all alumina samples required for the research programme. Over the next 12 months, NRC researchers...
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is expected to discuss Irish alumina exports to Russia during a visit to Dublin this week, according to EU officials familiar with her plans. The visit comes ahead of Ireland taking over the rotating presidency of the European Union on July 1 and follows reports that much of the alumina produced at Aughinish Alumina has been shipped to Russia since 2023. The County Limerick refinery is owned by Russian aluminium producer Rusal, which is linked to businessman Oleg Deripaska. Although the exports have drawn criticism, alumina is not included in current EU sanctions against Russia, meaning the trade remains legal under existing rules. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to...
The Guyana government is considering the development of an alumina refinery in Berbice as part of its broader plans for energy and industrial expansion in the region. Speaking at the launch of a special edition of the EH+ Energy and Hydrocarbon Magazine in Georgetown on Wednesday, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said planned investments in energy infrastructure could create opportunities for large-scale industrial development. According to the minister, the expansion of power generation capacity in Berbice could support the establishment of an industrial and petrochemical complex at the mouth of the Berbice River, including an alumina refinery to process Guyana's bauxite resources. An alumina refinery converts bauxite ore...
The global aluminium industry witnessed a week shaped by supply-side adjustments, expansion plans and evolving trade dynamics. From Guinea’s potential bauxite export restrictions and fresh alumina capacity developments in India and Vietnam to Rio Tinto’s operational gains, Vedanta’s record financial performance and ongoing tariff discussions across North America, the sector continued to balance growth ambitions with geopolitical, regulatory and market uncertainties. Meanwhile, corporate consolidation, supply-chain resilience and resource security remained at the forefront of industry developments. Bauxite highlights: Guinea’s curb, Jamaica’s ambition and India’s growth drive Guinea is expected to introduce reforms next month aimed at restricting bauxite exports after a surge in supply...
Sasol, a major chemicals company, is investing EUR 60 million (USD 69.7 million) to expand advanced materials and specialty chemicals production capacity of its Brunsbüttel, Germany, plant. This makes their alumina production even stronger. They'll use this cash to raise capacity at their current alumina sites. The plan centres on spherical alumina supports for advanced catalyst systems and similar stuff. So, Sasol is ramping up its game in some key areas of the industry. The expansion comes as demand rises for high-purity materials required in next-generation processing technologies. Sasol confirmed that all construction approvals for the project have already been secured and procurement activities are underway. The company expects to appoint a general contractor later this month, while...
China's polyaluminium chloride (PAC) market remained stable during May. As of May 31, the mainstream market price for solid industrial-grade PAC with a content level of at least 28 per cent was around RMB 1,811.67 (USD 267.62) per tonne, unchanged from the beginning of the month. Raw material costs provide support Raw materials, mainly alumina and hydrochloric acid, account for more than 60 per cent of PAC production costs. During May, the upstream electrolytic aluminium market showed fluctuating downward trends. At the same time, hydrochloric acid prices rose temporarily as chlor-alkali producers adjusted operating rates. These factors provided some cost support for PAC prices. However, the commissioning of new alumina production capacity increased supply in the market, limiting the...
Irish authorities are examining export data submitted by Aughinish Alumina after questions were raised over the volume of alumina shipped from the Limerick-based refinery to Russia. The review follows reports that more than 80 per cent of Aughinish’s alumina exports during the first quarter of 2026 were destined for Russia. However, Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, said the figures may not accurately reflect the company’s actual export distribution. According to Burke, the proportion of exports sent to Russia was closer to 45 per cent, with a similar share supplied to European and other international markets. Ireland’s Department of Enterprise confirmed it had been informed of a discrepancy in export volumes reported by the company and said Aughinish...
As the 2026 primary aluminium production navigates through a rocky course, the global alumina production map is being redrawn by the respective geopolitical factors. The data accumulated by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) depicted drastic drops in the cumulative alumina production volume across the world in April 2026, exhibiting a turbulent market environment. Global alumina production in April 2026 stood at 11.92 million tonnes, which recorded a month-on-month decline of 5.74 per cent from 12.65 million tonnes produced in March 2025. Looking at the figure closely, a year-on-year drop of 2.59 per cent from the production volume of 12.24 million tonnes can be noticed as well. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina...
Aughinish Alumina exported more than 80 per cent of its alumina production to Russia during the first quarter of 2026, according to trade data cited in recent reports. Irish exports to Russia rose by approximately 55 per cent between 2021 and 2025, increasing from EUR 539 million to EUR 836 million, according to Eurostat data. The refinery, located in County Limerick, is considered the largest alumina refinery in Europe and remains an important part of the global aluminium supply chain. Only a small share of the plant’s output was shipped to other European Union countries during the period. Aughinish Alumina is owned by United Company Rusal, one of the world's largest aluminium producers. The company is part of the broader EN+ Group, which has significant interests across the aluminium...
The European Commission has decided not to move ahead with sanctions on Ireland-based Aughinish Alumina for the time being, particularly amid concerns that restrictions could disrupt Europe’s already fragile aluminium supply chain. The Shannon-based alumina refinery, owned by Russian aluminium giant Rusal, had come under mounting scrutiny after it was alleged that the alumina content was being applied to indirectly offer support to the Russian defence sector. An investigation was undertaken by The Irish Times and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project . It was informed that alumina shipped from the Co Limerick refinery is being used by Russian smelters to produce aluminium, which is thereafter being supplied to defence-linked manufacturers. Explore: The most comprehensive...
Atlas Metals Group has issued new shares as the company continues work on its planned acquisition of Universal Pozzolanic Silica Alumina Ltd. The acquisition is expected to expand Atlas Metals’ presence in industrial minerals. According to the company, 3,368,394 new ordinary shares were issued following a partial conversion of its Yorkville-managed funding facility, along with additional issuance under its at-the-market arrangement with Axis Capital. Atlas Metals said proceeds raised through the share issuance will mainly be used to repay part of the existing funding facility and support financing linked to the proposed acquisition. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows &...
Saint-Gobain is discontinuing production of its Alumina-Zirconia-Silica (AZS) line at the SEFPRO facility in Falconer, a move that will result in the loss of 79 union and salaried positions linked to the operation. Production on the AZS line is expected to end in August, according to a company statement released on Wednesday. The Falconer facility, formerly known as Monofrax, will continue operating its remaining product lines despite the shutdown. “This will not impact every product line at Falconer, and the facility will continue the production of its remaining product lines,” the company stated. “This decision comes after careful consideration and evaluation of Saint-Gobain’s core business goals and is in line with the company’s mission and strategy. The company values and thanks all...
Authorities in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region are considering launching a pilot project to use industrial sludge, including possible alumina red sludge, in road construction after experimental testing in South Korea reportedly showed positive durability results. The proposal was discussed by Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration head Vitalii Kim during a broadcast with Media Center Ukraine following his visit to South Korea. According to Kim, cooperation with Korean companies has been ongoing since 2023, during which Ukraine supplied industrial sludge samples for testing in road-building technologies. Kim said an experimental road section built in South Korea using the material remained stable for around a year, encouraging authorities to consider similar applications in Ukraine once the...
Western Yilgarn said re-assaying work at its Cardea 1 project in Western Australia’s Darling Range has confirmed shallow gallium mineralisation across multiple target zones. The company believes the results strengthen the project’s potential as both a bauxite and critical minerals asset while also supporting future resource definition and expansion drilling. According to the company, re-assays from 161 vacuum drill holes identified several zones of shallow gallium mineralisation from surface down to depths of around 7 metres. Peak gallium oxide values reportedly exceeded 140 parts per million, while some of the stronger shallow drilling intersections returned grades above 80 to 100 ppm over thicknesses of around two to four metres. Western Yilgarn said the mineralisation appears laterally...
Texmaco Rail & Engineering has received a letter of award worth INR 285.8 million (USD 3 million) from Vedanta Aluminium for the supply of one BTAP alumina transportation rake along with one brake van or guard vehicle. The company said the contract value includes taxes and will be executed within six months from the date of the Notice to Proceed. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” Texmaco also clarified that neither its promoters nor promoter group entities have any interest in the awarding company, and the contract does not fall under related-party transactions. The latest order follows another contract awarded earlier by Vedanta Aluminium worth INR 571.5 million...
A high-level delegation from the Lao National Assembly visited Xekong province on May 23 to review progress on the Dakcheung bauxite and alumina development project, one of the largest industrial ventures currently underway in southern Laos. The delegation was headed by Sounthone Xayachak, who travelled to Dakcheung district to assess the implementation of the project being developed by Viet Phuong Group. The large-scale initiative forms part of the broader economic, scientific, and technical cooperation framework agreed between the governments of Laos and Vietnam. During the visit, project representatives outlined both the industrial scope of the development and its intended contribution to the region’s long-term growth. Speaking on behalf of the investor, Dinh Xuan Hoang explained that...
The Vietnamese industrial conglomerate Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO) is accelerating its ambitions in the country’s bauxite and alumina sector, unveiling a slate of proposed mining and processing projects in Lam Dong Province worth an estimated USD 4.4 billion. The proposal indicates the company’s long-term strategy to solidify its imprint across the aluminium value chain of Vietnam, from the upstream ore extraction to the downstream processing and industrial manufacturing. The proposal surrounds the planned Lam Dong 2 alumina complex, also known as the THACO alumina plant. Spanning about 804 hectares, the venture is aimed at producing up to 2 million tonnes of alumina annually and carries an approximate investment of VND 49.66 trillion (USD 1.9 billion). Explore the relevance of...
Jamaica is once again turning its attention to an overlooked by-product of the bauxite industry that officials believe could hold substantial economic value. During his presentation in the House of Representatives for the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate on May 13, Floyd Green outlined fresh efforts to develop commercial opportunities linked to bauxite residue, more commonly referred to as Jamaican red mud. According to the minister, interest in the material is not new. More than ten years ago, Japanese company Nippon Light Metal collaborated with the Jamaica Bauxite Institute to investigate the composition of the residue. There was an unusual high concentration of rare earth elements in their findings, which is almost 25 times higher than those typically found within the upper continental crust....
