AlCircle News Edited By "Debanjali Sengupta"
Debanjali Sengupta is a passionate content writer with 10 years of experience in Business writing, Web Content writing, Blogging, Editing and Research. She is responsible for generating and editing content for AlCircle Newsletter and other online and offline content for enhancing the brand value and its visibility among global users.
Canyon Resources completes a range of testing on Minim Martap bauxite for pre-feasibility study
According to a recent report, Canyon Resources has completed a range of testing, supporting the bauxite technical specification datasheet, the basis for ongoing offtake and strategic partnership negotiations for Minim Martap Project in Cameroon. The testing included a broad range of chemical, metallurgical, and physical test-work to inform pre-feasibility study of the project and ensuing ore reserve estimate. A random duplicate field selected from the resource estimate sample program from the Beatrice plateau, one of the three priority plateaux, was used in the testing for the basic metallurgical program. The previous test work and basic metallurgy program show total alumina at an average 90 to 95 per cent and silica at an average 60 to 80 per cent. Following are the results that support...
Three-month LME aluminium ended 11% higher at $1779/t; SHFE declined to $2128/t after three consecutive hikes
The US dollar gained on Thursday, August 27, in choppy trading after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said, as widely expected, that the US central bank would roll out an aggressive new strategy to lift US employment and inflation. Three-month LME aluminium fluctuated widely on Thursday, ending 0.11 per cent higher at US$ 1,779 per tonne. It is likely to move between US$ 1,760-1,785 per tonne today. On Thursday, August 27, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price stood at US$ 1738 per tonne, growing slightly by US$ 1 per tonne from the previous day. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price hovered at US$ 1776.50 per tonne, down by US$ 2.5 per tonne from US$ 1779 per tonne on August 26. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price came in at US$ 1852.50 per...
Chalco’s H1 profit declines 95% Y-o-Y on lower aluminium prices and fall in production below Russian rival Rusal
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, popularly known as Chalco, reported on Thursday, August 27, that its profit fell 95 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2020, attributing to lower aluminium and alumina prices and decrease in primary aluminium production. The net income of the company during H1 2020 came in at RMB 35.71 million, down from an adjusted RMB 707.41 million a year earlier. Last year’s first-half income was buoyed by a substantial gain on an asset sale, exacerbating the drop in earnings this year. In the second quarter, Chalco’s profit was RMB 5 million, marking the company’s worst quarterly result since a net loss in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. In terms of production, Chalco’s primary aluminium output in the first half of the year...
Alumina production grows by 8,000 tonnes in North America during July 2020, but declines by 16,000 tonnes in South America
According to the latest data shared by the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in North America rose month-on-month in July 2020 by 8,000 tonnes or 3.6 per cent to stand at 231,000 tonnes. In June, the output was 223,000 tonnes, growing by 13,000 tonnes or 6.19 per cent from 210,000 tonnes in May. On a year-on-year calculation, North America’s alumina output in July 2020 stood down by 33,000 tonnes or 12.5 per cent from 264,000 tonnes in July 2019. During May-July 2020, North America’s total alumina production amounted to 664,000 tonnes, down by 67,000 tonnes or 9.17 per cent from 731,000 tonnes during the same period last year. In South America, on the other hand, alumina production in July recorded a month-on-month decrease of 16,000 tonnes or 1.64 per cent to stand at...
Primary aluminium inventories in China loss 7,000 tonnes this week, stocks standing at 755,000 tonnes
Primary aluminium inventories in China have recorded a plunge of 7,000 tonnes this week ended on Thursday, August 27, following a rise of 25,000 tonnes in the week earlier, found Shanghai Metals Market. According to the data, the social inventories of primary aluminium have declined across eight Chinese consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, to stand at 755,000 tonnes versus 762,000 tonnes on last Thursday, August 20. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: Nanhai, among all the major Chinese markets, has seen the highest downfall of 9,000 tonnes to 185,000 tonnes, as of August 27, followed by the decline of 4,000 tonnes in Shanghai to stand at 112,000 tonnes. In Tianjin and Hangzhou, the primary aluminium...
COVID-19 opens new opportunities for secondary aluminium manufacturers, Pharma & Real Estate to fuel demand: JAL
Despite all the odds and adverse situations generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has supposedly opened new floodgates for the secondary aluminium manufacturers, commented Pragun Jindal Khaitan, Managing Director at Jindal Aluminium Limited (JAL). Mr Khaitan said, “Though JAL did experience the impact of the pandemic due to lowered demand and output during April and May, starting the month of June turned a new leaf of revival, which led to a rise of 65- 70% rise in demand on an average.” “In terms of export, JAL did not experience any increase or decrease with 15-20% of the total output being disseminated as per demand, keeping it constant. The first quarter of the year was stable in terms of the performance and output of JAL, though the domestic demand was at a low,” he added. According...
China’s alumina imports grow more than double to 417,263 tonnes in July 2020
In July 2020, China imported 417,263 tonnes of alumina, more than double the 200,000 tonnes in the year ago, according to Chinese customs data released on Tuesday, August 25. China’s total alumina imports since the beginning of the year has come in at 2.33 million tonnes, up by 341.2 per cent from the corresponding period last year. The stupendous hike in Chinese alumina imports has reportedly blown the domestic alumina market, which was already under pressure due to the lack of buying interests among domestic primary aluminium producers. However, according to a Shanghai-based alumina analyst, China’s domestic alumina market has a fair chance to rebound after last week’s surge following Hydro’s disruption. He said, “Overall, the market has ample supply, and I heard northern China started...
A00 aluminium ingot price shrinks by RMB40/t after two consecutive hikes; Aluminium alloy(A356) price down by RMB50/t
On Thursday, August 29, A00 aluminium ingot price in China has declined by RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 14,730 per tonne, following two consecutive hikes from RMB 14,700 per tonne to RMB 14,770 per tonne, according to the data found by Shanghai Metals Market. Week-on-week, the price is down by RMB 60 per tonne from RMB 14,790 per tonne, as of August 20. The average prices today are expected to range between RMB 14,710 per tonne and RMB 14,750 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 20-60 per tonne. Today, Linyi has seen the highest downfall of RMB 70 per tonne to RMB 14,720 per tonne, according to SMM. In Hangzhou, the primary aluminium ingot price has shrunk by RMB 60 per tonne to RMB 14,710 per tonne, while that in Gongyi has decreased by RMB 55 per tonne to RMB...
Rusal decides to quit aluminium trading joint venture in South China: Sources
Rusal, the world’s second largest aluminium company by primary production, has decided to step down from the aluminium trading joint venture in southern China, partly due to concerns over lower sales volume, said three sources with knowledge of the matter. Two of the sources also said that the Russian firm is hiring for its separate office in Shanghai. Rusal is now negotiating the sale of its stake in North United Aluminium (Shenzhen) to state-run partner China North Industries Group Corp Ltd (Norinco), said the sources on the condition of anonymous. Rusal had invested in North United Aluminium in 2012 but since then grown disappointed with low trading volume. However, a rebound in Chinese aluminium demand after the COVID-10 outbreak buoyed imports in July. Per the report, the unwrought...
Indian aluminium producers taking various measures to check imports, working on new products to substitute overseas items
Domestic primary aluminium producers in India, like Hindalco Industries and Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Limited, are on their toes to bring down the country’s aluminium imports. They are working with the government at three levels – primary aluminium, secondary, and downstream products. Besides seeking trade remedial measures from the government, such as anti-dumping duty and anti-subsidy duty, the producers are working on new products. Satish Pai, managing director at Hindalco Industries, said: “We are involved in quite a few import substitution projects and are working closely with the government currently to put more defence alloys and aluminium material.” He pointed out that 60 per cent of the country’s total lightweight metal industry consumes those cheap aluminium imports. According to...
ASI certifies ALVANCE Aluminium Dunkerque with Performance Standard Certification
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has acknowledged ALVANCE Aluminium Dunkerque with its Performance Standard certification for smelting and casthouse operation. The plant produces aluminium by electrolysis of alumina in the form of rolling slabs and ingots. The news came after ASI announced that it successfully certified the plant for responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of aluminium. It is the large primary aluminium smelter in Europe. The ingots and slabs that it produces are destined for use in a range of value-added applications in the transport, automotive, packaging, building, and construction industry. The smelter produces over 284,000 tonnes of aluminium per year and employs almost 600 staff. Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI, said: “We warmly congratulate...
JNARDDC develops CRM of aluminium metal under India’s Self-Reliant initiative
According to a recent report, Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur has created Certified Reference Material (CRM) of aluminium metal for indigenous use, in line with the Government’s self-reliant initiative. CRM is used for quality control and for calibration of spectroscopic techniques. Usually, secondary aluminium is made of aluminium scrap recovered from various sources and used for manufacturing aluminium products mixed with other inferior quality products. This could be a threat to society as well as the industry. So, characterisation of elemental composition is an absolute necessary before melting or casting to ensure compositional prerequisite. CRMs are essentially required for cross verifying the methodology adopted. For having very...
LME aluminium price edged lower at $1733/t amid continued decline in opening stock; SHFE price extended rise to $2130/t
The dollar dipped on Tuesday, August 25, as investors waited on comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell about the US central bank’s policy framework review, and after data showed improving German business morale. Three-month LME aluminium settled 0.51 per cent higher at US$ 1,779 per tonne on Tuesday. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price, however, stood slightly lower at US$ 1733 per tonne, as of Tuesday, August 25. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price came in at US$ 1773.50 per tonne, down by US$ 2.5 per tonne from US$ 1776 per tonne on August 24. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price hovered at US$ 1850.50 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock continued to decline to 1567375 tonnes. Live Warrants hovered at 1342775 tonnes, while...
Aluminium operating rates in China improved by 0.2 percentage point last week owing to new alloy capacity : SMM
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, operating rates across major aluminium processors last week increased by 0.2 per cent point to 77.3 per cent, attributing to the commissioning of new capacity at primary aluminium alloy producers. Demand for aluminium foil remained strong, while orders at small and medium-scale extrusion producers and plate and strip sectors emerged weak. Worsening COVID-19 pandemic across the world kept processors concerned about the recovery of export orders in September. On the other hand, with import window of aluminium alloy ingots being closed, secondary aluminium producers were increasingly optimistic over the upcoming peak season during September and October. Small and medium-scale extrusion producers also showed interest in producing aluminium billets with...
US aluminium crude metals and alloys imports from Argentina remained flat in May 2020 after a sharp hike in April
According to the latest data shown by the US Geological Survey, the United States’ imports of aluminium crude metals and alloys from Argentina remained flat month-on-month in May 2020 at 18,400 tonnes. In April, the imports totalled 18,700 tonnes, following a sharp downfall in March from 12,800 tonnes in February to 1,520 tonnes. In January, the US had imported 26,400 tonnes of aluminium extrusions, meaning February saw a decline of 13,600 tonnes or 51.5 per cent over the month. The above data also indicates the fact that the United States aluminium extrusion imports from Argentina rebounded in April 2020 after plunging incessantly in the three previous months. On a year-on-year comparison, the United States aluminium crude metals and alloys imports in May 2020 stood down by 1,900 tonnes...
China’s automobile production grows 46.4% Y-o-Y during early August’20, but edges lower by 16% M-o-M: CAAM
China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) found a month-on-month decline of 15.8 per cent in automobile production by 11 key Chinese automakers during early August. According to the data revealed by CAAM, automobile output stood at 1.11 million units, which was, however, higher by 46.4 per cent from the production during the same period last year. Sales in early August came in at 939,000 units, down by 0.3 per cent month-on-month and 4.2 per cent year-on-year, showed the latest data of CAAM. Production of passenger vehicles was at 934,000 units, falling 16.1 per cent from early July but up by 39.9 per cent from a year ago. Sales, on the other hand, inched up by 0.1 per cent month-on-month to 825,000 tonnes, however, stood down by 7.9 per cent from the same period last year....
Primary aluminium production grows 3.7% M-o-M in West Europe and 2.7% in East & Central Europe during July'20
Primary aluminium production in West Europe rebounded in July 2020 by 10,000 tonnes month-on-month or 3.66 per cent to stand at 283,000 tonnes, found the International Aluminium Institute. In June 2020, the output in West Europe was 273,000 tonnes, declining 11,000 tonnes or 3.87 per cent from 284,000 tonnes in May 2020. On a year-on-year comparison, the production of primary aluminium in July 2020 stood down by 3,000 tonnes or 1.05 per cent from 286,000 tonnes. The total primary aluminium production in West Europe during May-July 2020 amounted to 840,000 tonnes, down by 2.67 per cent from 863,000 tonnes during the same period last year. Primary aluminium production in East and Central Europe during July 2020 also edged higher month-on-month from 340,000 tonnes to 349,000 tonnes. This...
A00 aluminium ingot price grows to RMB14750/t; Input costs remain muted except a plunge in Australian alumina FOB price
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a rise of RMB 50 per tonne to stand at RMB 14,750 per tonne on Tuesday, August 25, following a downfall on the previous day from RMB 14,840 per tonne to RMB 14,700 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,730 per tonne and RMB 14,770 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at the same premium price of RMB 30-70 per tonne. Foshan has seen the highest growth in A00 aluminium ingot price today of RMB 80 per tonne to come in at RMB 14,770 per tonne, followed by an increase of RMB 70 per tonne in Linyi to stand at RMB 14,790 per tonne. The price in Chongqing and Shenyang has grown by RMB 65 per tonne and RMB 50 per tonne to hover at RMB 14,665 per tonne and RMB 14,740 per tonne,...
