AlCircle News Edited By "Nilanjana Banerjee"
Nilanjana Banerjee is a new leaf on this branch of AL Circle. is a spontaneous author and she writes on inspiration and purpose, not by design. Her penmanship is replete with sensitivity and depth.
Ceasefire eases LME aluminium trend from prices to inventories
After the soaring records on April 7 , the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices cooled at the close of the April 8 session, as a reaction to the mutually agreed two-week ceasefire announced by the US President Donald Trump on April 8. With the limited trade flow allowed at the tentative reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the market panic recorded in the last few weeks has begun to ease, as evident from the figures at the close of the session on April 8. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The LME aluminium cash bid price declined slightly by 2.24 per cent from the previous close, slipping to USD 3,519 per tonne from USD 3,599.5 per tonne. The offer price closed at USD 3,520 per tonne, down 2.22...
Aluminum Association CEO: Gulf disruptions lift aluminium prices; industry adapts
Charles Johnson, President and CEO of the Aluminum Association, addressed the ripple effect of the Middle East conflict on the aluminium industry. According to him, global aluminium markets are under the pressure of “elevated” prices as geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region disrupt supply chains. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain While the situation has spurred short-term uncertainty with the “ closure of the strait ”, the industry is continuously adjusting through alternative sourcing, recycling and shifting trade flows. Supply chains adjust, but gaps remain In response to the logistical constraints around the Gulf region, as well as the supply crunch due to the disruptions surrounding 9 per cent...
Ghana’s Nyanahin bauxite lease issue brings policy consistency in focus
Ghana’s decision to cancel the Nyanahin bauxite lease awarded to Rocksure International is now sparking a wider debate and renewed scrutiny around policy consistency, fairness and institutional credibility. What began as a legal and procedural issue is increasingly being viewed as a test case for the government’s broader Resetting Agenda in the mining sector, especially its focus on transparency and support for local participation. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The Resetting Agenda and the Nyanahin case Retired Major Mohammed Bogobiri has urged the government to reconsider the decision, calling for the lease to be restored and pushed through parliamentary ratification. He has argued that if the...
Canyon Resources nears first output from high-grade Minim Martap bauxite project
The Australia-headquartered mining company Canyon Resources has reported steady progress with its Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon. With the first shipment planned in September, the company is aiming to capitalise on the ongoing supply crunch and sustained demand for high-grade bauxite, positioning itself as a potential new entrant in the global supply chain. Peter Secker, CEO, elaborated on the project’s progress across mining , logistics and financing. He emphasised that, transitioning from development to production, the project is about to reach a milestone. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain High-grade resource advantage One of the project’s defining strengths is its fine ore quality. Minim...
Hit before the ceasefire: Iran Aluminium Company struck by the US-Israel attacks
A few hours before the official announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the US-Israel and Iran conflict, the Iranian media reported that the US-Israel launched strikes on the Iran Aluminium Company (IRALCO), the largest aluminium plant of the country, as well as the Amirkabir Petrochemical Complex in Mahshahr. The facilities have been struck as the US President Donald Trump’s assigned deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz without any official agreement was not observed by the Iranian government. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Located in Arak, central Iran, the Iran Aluminium Company (IRALCO), the country’s largest aluminium production hub, had a production capacity of 160 thousand to 200...
India eases mining lease rules to unlock deeper mineral reserves
This Monday, the Government of India announced amendments to its mining concession rules. It would allow expansion of existing leases and licences for critical minerals exploration to improve India’s mineral output, particularly for deep-seated minerals that are frequently left unexplored. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain According to the Ministry of Mines, the updated framework introduces a simpler, time-bound process for leaseholders to apply for a one-time expansion. The changes will enable mining companies to include adjacent or contiguous areas within their current lease boundaries. The added area, however, will be capped at 10 per cent of the existing mining lease and 30 per cent of a composite...
Aluminium stock surge prompts JPMorgan’s bullish call on Vedanta, Hindalco
With a broader shift in the global metals cycle that could reshape earnings expectations, major Indian aluminium companies are drawing renewed investor attention. JPMorgan has upgraded both Vedanta Limited and Hindalco Industries Limited to “overweight”, citing a favourable mix of higher aluminium prices, inventory disruptions and currency movements. The brokerage has also raised price targets, indicating a potential upside of up to 22 per cent. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain However, going beyond near-term upside, the shift is being driven by the sharp decline in the global aluminium supply crunch. Ongoing geopolitical tensions spurred by the Middle East conflict have disrupted key supply chains,...
Worldwide Aluminium downgraded to ‘Strong Sell’ amid weak finances and bearish signals
As of March 20, 2026, the New Delhi-based Worldwide Aluminium Ltd has been downgraded from ‘Sell’ to ‘Strong Sell’, as concerns around its financial position, pricing and market signals continue to build. This reassessment has come even though the company has improved in recent quarters, suggesting that the bigger picture of the downstream aluminium trader still remains uncertain. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Financial position of Worldwide Aluminium In the longer term, the financial figures of Worldwide Aluminium leave much to be desired. Its average Return on Equity (ROE) is around only 1.55 per cent, which is quite low, implying limited returns for shareholders. Growth has also hit a slump,...
With deepening energy crisis, fuel shortages trigger global demand controls
The severity of the ongoing energy crisis due to the Middle East conflict was evident this week as an unusual shift in the global oil benchmarks was noticed. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, generally trading at a lower mark than that of the Brent crude , briefly traded over the North Sea-focused benchmark. Although market participants attributed this to immediate supply tightness, expectations of relief later in the year remain uncertain, compounded by the mounting concern that the situation could escalate into widespread demand destruction. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Governments around the world have begun implementing regulations to introduce fuel consumption controls. In Asia,...
Global aluminium plates, sheets and strips trade 2025: Policy, cost and geopolitics reshape export
Global exports of aluminium plates, sheets and strips between 2023 and 2025 have formed a chain that goes beyond routine market cycles. The export trend depicts the reshaping of the market by policy decisions, geopolitical tensions and evolving supply chains. Latest trade data accumulated from the International Trade Administration throws light on how these factors directly influence export performance across major producing nations. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain With the global consumption of aluminium plates, sheets and strips standing at 26.92 million tonnes in 2025, the total quantity traded by the top 10 exporters stood around 23.09 million tonnes, reflecting their dominance in the global...
USCM and REalloys partner for domestic rare earth supply chain independence in the US
In order to solidify the domestic supply chain, US Critical Metals Corporation (USCM) has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with REalloys Incorporated. The move is aimed at advancing rare earth and critical mineral independence in the United States. The partnership brings together USCM’s mineral resource base and process technology with REalloys’ downstream and metallisation capabilities. A key aspect of the collaboration includes potential offtake agreements and access to the facility of REalloys in Ohio, which is supported by the US Department of Defense and is equipped for rare earth processing and metal production. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The MoU outlines a broader...
From copper oversupply to aluminium crisis: Middle East conflict reshapes metals market
What began as an overall surge in the metals market towards the beginning of the year has quickly turned far more uneven, as the ongoing Middle East conflict enters its fifth week. While early market sentiment was dominated by fears of a copper crisis, the unfolding reality focuses on a different crisis surrounding aluminium. Global institutions, including the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund and World Bank, have already referred to the conflict as one of the most severe recent energy shocks. Beyond the immediate humanitarian impact, the geopolitical situation is disrupting trade routes, hoisting energy prices and introducing fresh volatility across markets. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across...
LME aluminium cools after record surge, but market tension lingers post Iranian strikes
After the skyrocketing records on March 31 , the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices appeared to ease at the close of the April 1 session. The slightly declining trend was also noticed in the movement of the stocks. However, a rise in the near-term contracts amongst a few other upward records indicates that concerns over supply risk post Iran’s drone and missile strikes on the facilities of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) still remains. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer prices declined slightly by 0.04 per cent from the previous close. The cash bid slipped to USD 3,583 per tonne from USD 3,584.5 per tonne, while the...
April aluminium premiums on the rise: Market reacts to Gulf smelter hits
So far into the week, aluminium premiums in Europe and Japan have appeared on the rising graph as a reaction to Iran’s drone and missile strikes on the Gulf smelters of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) on Saturday, intensifying the prevailing worry over aluminium supply tightness. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Surges across regions and standardised benchmarks In Europe , the duty-paid aluminium premium for April delivery has rallied a four-year high since June 2022 and settled at USD 594 per tonne, marking a 16 per cent rise since Friday. In the same trend, April premium in Japan surged a staggering 20 per cent over the previous week, climbing from USD 250 per tonne to...
Vedanta delays demerger deadline to June 2026 amid pending regulatory approvals
Vedanta Limited has extended its business demerger deadline further to June 30, 2026, postponing it a third time and citing the pending regulatory approvals as the reason behind it. Although passed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in December 2025 , the plan underwent delays in progress, flagged for unresolved concerns by the central government and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Earlier, Vedanta set the demerger target date on March 31, 2026 . The board’s approval for a deadline extension indicates a regulatory clearance obstacle, hindering the unlocking of a streamlined corporate restructuring. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Regulatory concerns and execution...
Goldman Sachs lifts aluminium outlook as EGA-Alba damages trigger market shock
The Iranian strikes dated March 28 on the Gulf sites of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) have brought on a new outlook on the aluminium market trend. On Tuesday, Goldman Sachs raised its London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price forecast from USD 3,200 to USD 3,450 per tonne for the second quarter of 2026. Amid the prevailing supply crunch due to the Strait of Hormuz closure, the price revision results from an intensified market vulnerability, the smelter damages leading aluminium into a new phase of volatility. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain In addition to the Q2 forecast revision, Goldman Sachs has raised its 2026 annual average price forecast from USD 3,100 to USD...
Inalum flags oversupply risks, urges Indonesia to halt aluminium expansion ventures
Inalum, the state miner of Indonesia, has urged the government to halt approvals for any upcoming projects of alumina refineries and aluminium smelters, citing the condition of the existing project pipeline as the cause, which risks oversupplying the market and putting pressure on prices. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Cause and effect of pipeline projects According to Inalum, rapid capacity expansion and excess supply could later lead to a squeeze price scenario. At present, Indonesia’s alumina output capacity stands at 9 million annually and primary aluminium at 1.13 million tonnes per year. By approving the pipeline initiatives, the alumina capacity would climb to 29.8 million tonnes while...
Alcoa shares up nearly 12% as Iranian strikes on EGA, Alba trigger aluminium supply shock
Aluminium markets soared on March 30, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupted key supply hubs and pushed prices close to multi-year highs. Shares of Alcoa Corporation rose strongly up to 11.8 per cent in early trading alongside aluminium futures, indicating growing concerns over tightening global supply. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain While Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd gained 6.3 per cent and Century Aluminum advanced around 10 per cent, Alcoa extended its gains through the session, closing up 8.23 per cent at USD 63.22 per share, marking its second consecutive day of strong performance. Over the past three months, the stock has climbed 35.8 per cent, slightly outperforming the...
