AlCircle News Edited By "Pratyusha Chatterjee"
A writer with 5+ years of experience in the communication industry, Pratyusha Chatterjee has indulged in content from the business, lifestyle, travel industries and more. Apart from news and content, Pratyusha is immensely fond of participating in cultural events and managing them.
Africa’s hidden geodata loses billions of mining investment for the continent
In a continent where 40 per cent of the world’s natural resources lie beneath the surface, only 30 per cent have been thoroughly explored. But the challenge isn’t just geology. It is in its governance. More specifically, it’s the invisible curtain shrouding Africa’s geological survey data that may be deterring billions in potential investment. Image for referential purposes only (Source: https://www.bruker.com/) At the recent London Indaba, Mark Cutifani, Chairperson of Vale Base Metals and a mining heavyweight formerly at Anglo American, struck a chord during his opening keynote, as he shared, “Malawi is the first, and I believe Nigeria is the second.” He wasn’t talking about mineral production, infrastructure milestones, or new critical mineral discoveries. He was referring to a...
Japan’s aluminium premium for Q3 Drops to $108/t as weak demand and high stocks tip balance
Some Japanese aluminium buyers have settled third-quarter premiums at USD 108 per tonne, down sharply from USD 182 per tonne in the second quarter, in a deal that reflects muted domestic demand, rising port inventories, and broader market oversupply, according to sources directly involved in the negotiations. Image for referential purposes only The 41 per cent quarter-on-quarter decline is the second consecutive drop and the lowest quarterly premium since early 2024, underscoring Japan’s ongoing demand uncertainty across major end-use segments like transportation, construction, and packaging. Buyers gain upper hand as spot deals undercut producers’ offers Negotiations, which concluded last week, saw initial producer offers range between USD122 and USD 145 per tonne. However, Japanese...
Conflicted or smart diplomat? Why does India, among others, ask for export tax reprieve and encourage import tariff imposition?
Countries like India, among others, ask for a reprieve when exporting but impose tariffs on imports to safeguard their domestic industries. Could such practices complicate international trade dynamics or be perceived as ‘conflicted’ by global partners? A lot of questions cloud the mind when delving into such geopolitical and trading diplomacy. In today’s editorial, we break down, stance by stance, what has been happening and how these acts have impacted country after country in overall development for decades. Image Source: https://okcredit.in/ India’s economic diplomacy , a part of the foreign policy framework, has been marked by securing trade agreements, attracting foreign investments and strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties with key global players. And tariffs/taxes have...
Iran & Israel’s conflict is not only hurting their own but hurting other economies, too! India included...
India’s commerce ministry will convene a meeting on June 27 with key stakeholders, including shipping lines, exporters, container firms, and other departments, to assess the impact of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict on India’s overseas trade. According to an official source, the objective is to evaluate disruptions and address emerging concerns tied to the region’s geopolitical instability. Image for referential purposes only (Source: Google Map) The escalating conflict has already triggered civilian casualties, economic damage, and strained international relations. For India, the implications are not just diplomatic but directly commercial, particularly given the importance of regional trade routes. The Strait of Hormuz: India’s trade lifeline The Strait of Hormuz, flanking Iran and...
Impact Minerals PFS confirms Lake Hope as world-leading low-cost HPA project with vertical integration on the horizon
Impact Minerals has unveiled the latest progress report of its transformative pre-feasibility study (PFS) for its Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) project in Western Australia, positioning itself as a potential global cost leader in the burgeoning battery and tech-grade alumina sector. Managing Director Dr Mike Jones detailed the findings and outlined a bold strategy for vertical integration, downstream processing, and by-product monetisation that could significantly amplify project economics through a recently released media release by the company. Image for representational purposes only The PFS, conducted on the Lake Hope project located approximately 500 kilometres east of Perth, has revealed a compelling investment case. At the core of the results lies a net present value (NPV) of...
Two cons form a pro: Russia & China’s $612.1M aluminium trade is a shout-out for a win-win tale
Over the past few years, Russia has ramped up its aluminium exports to China and other Asian economies. According to the latest trade data by the Chinese Statistical Service, China imported USD 612.1 million worth of Russian aluminium in April 2025 alone, which accounts for close to double the figure recorded in April 2024. This surge has pushed Russia’s share into Chinese aluminium imports to 39.5 per cent, up significantly from 22.7 per cent a year earlier. Between January and April 2025, China purchased a total of USD 2.05 billion worth of aluminium from Russia, marking a 1.5× increase compared to the same period in 2024. Image for representational purposes only This spike is not just in monetary terms but also in physical volumes. In April 2025, China’s imports of primary aluminium...
Answered: What is ‘Tariff Offset Credit’? And, how is it going to benefit not only US automakers but global businesses?
When President Trump invoked Section 232 ‘national security’ tariffs on imported auto parts (effective May 3, 2025), it was a uniform 25 per cent duty on key systems from transmissions to lithium-ion batteries. Panic spread far and wide! And then, to temper the immediate cost shock for US automakers, the Department of Commerce rolled out an ‘Offset Credit’ mechanism. But, answers to what exactly the mechanism is, how to leverage it, and how beneficial the mechanism can be for US automakers and global businesses are found scattered across the board. Image for referential purposes only In 2024, the United States of America solidified its position as the world’s leading market for automotive products, importing a record USD 474.3 billion worth of vehicles, engines and parts while exporting...
Hindalco stock price rises yet again after its second 100% acquisition in a month
Hindalco industries' wholly owned subsidiary, A.V. Minerals (Netherlands) N.V., has acquired 100 per cent equity in Aditya Holdings LLC, a newly incorporated entity, through a capital subscription worth USD 100. The acquisition, completed on June 19, 2025, was formalised through the execution of an operating agreement between the two entities, with Aditya Holdings LLC now operating as a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Hindalco. Image for representational purposes only Aditya Holdings LLC, incorporated just weeks earlier on June 3, 2025, is positioned within the metals sector and is set to engage in manufacturing, processing and trading of metal products, alloys, and by-products — spanning aluminium, copper, and both metallurgical and non-metallurgical alumina. According to Hindalco’s...
Hydro accelerates alumina’s low-carbon shift as Alunorte hits the 700,000 tonnes Y-o-Y CO2 curb
One year since its BRL 1.3 billion (USD 234 million) investment to phase out fuel oil and switch entirely to natural gas, Hydro’s Alunorte refinery in Pará, Brazil, has managed to cut a staggering 700 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. The figure is not only a testament to the scale of the project but also a signal to the rest of the global alumina industry that real decarbonisation milestones are achievable — if backed by strategic foresight, capital intensity, and infrastructure reform. Image for representational purposes only The fuel switch at Alunorte involved converting six steam-generation units and seven calciners to operate fully on natural gas. To make this feasible in a relatively underdeveloped energy corridor, Hydro partnered with New Fortress Energy, which...
Canada eyes ‘Buy Canadian’ policy as tariff dispute with US puts aluminium and steel on the line
With the United States slapping a steep 50 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminium imports, Ottawa is now fast-tracking a self-sufficient economic response potent to reshape North America’s metals supply chain. At the centre of this pivot is a proposed ‘Buy Canadian’ policy, an industrial safeguard designed to protect Canadian producers and preserve jobs by mandating the use of domestic metal in government procurement contracts. Image for representational purposes only (Source: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/) Industry Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed this week that the government is actively considering procurement requirements for both infrastructure and defence projects that would prioritise Canadian-made metals. “These decisions are being taken as we speak,” Joly said,...
India under spotlight at Canada-hosted G7 outreach session as trade, tariffs and energy security overwhelm agenda
Canada played host to this year’s G7 summit, marking its seventh turn at the helm of the influential bloc. In addition to the heads of state from G7 member nations and the European Union, which also participates in the summit, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney extended invitations to several non-G7 leaders. Among them were Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who confirmed her attendance just days before the event following weeks of indecision, as well as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The high-level gathering was convened in Alberta, underscoring Canada’s renewed diplomatic posture under Carney’s leadership. “As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by...
CMI’s new aluminium can sheet guidance: Recycled content math to standardise industry reporting
In the grand theatre of sustainable packaging, aluminium beverage cans have long occupied centre stage. They are hailed as icons of recyclability — endlessly reusable, energy-efficient, and economically viable. But how much of the aluminium in your next soft drink can is from recycled material? And by whose definition? Image for referential purposes only A new technical protocol released in 2024 aims to settle that debate. Titled “Guidance for Calculating Recycled Content in Aluminium Can Sheet (Version 1.0),” this industry-led initiative offers the first formalised methodology to quantify recycled content in aluminium can sheets. Developed by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and environmental NGO GreenBlue, with inputs from major players including Novelis, Ball, Constellium, and the...
Brazil among 26 nations to secure $250M climate funding for industrial decarbonisation
In a recent breakthrough for industrial decarbonisation in the Global South, Brazil has secured USD 250 million in international climate financing to steer its transition to low-carbon manufacturing for five major focus sectors. The announcement, which was made by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) under its Clean Technology Fund, anoints Brazil as a frontrunner among emerging economies in charting a sustainable path for hard-to-abate sectors such as aluminium, cement, steel, chemicals, and fertilisers. Image for referential purposes only The funding will attract the formulation of a comprehensive investment plan led by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC). The plan will map out sector-specific interventions, financing instruments, and policy measures to...
Israel and Iran under tension: How is India, among all global aluminium giants, hit? Prices indicate stress.
As a result of the ongoing geopolitical discord between Israel and Iran, the Indian aluminium industry (though not impacted directly) is feeling the rippling heat in pricing. In an unexpected turn of events, India’s aluminium price has slipped to INR 242 per kg, contemplating the global metal pressures exacerbated by currency swings and rising oil. Image for referential purposes only The chain of events unfolds to be in this order — Israel and Iran under a military clash, which has led to the latter region’s oil supply chain being disrupted. The Sensex (India) has then fallen 1300 points. As aluminium production is highly energy-intensive, notably smelting alone accounts for nearly 40 per cent of production cost. The Middle East, especially the Gulf region, is a major natural gas and fuel...
LME integrates CBAM-aligned emissions tracking into listed aluminium businesses — must submit data from June ’25
In a market increasingly ruled by emissions accountability, the LME has stepped forward with a landmark measure to align metals trading with the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). As of June 15, 2025, all listed aluminium brands are required to submit verified emissions data through LMEpassport, the exchange’s digital certificate system. Image source: https://www.consultancy.uk/ At its core, the initiative is about harmonising with Brussels. The LME emissions reporting form asks producers to disclose Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, tailored precisely to match EU CBAM standards. Reporting is mandatory for brands under Primary Aluminium, Aluminium Alloy, and NASAAC. Prior to the recent development, on May 1 2024, the LME released a consultation on the proposed...
US-China trade talks in London yield a framework. Yet core tariffs remain intact!
Last week, high-stakes trade negotiations between the United States and China reconvened in London, marking the second day of talks on June 10 at Lancaster House. After months of escalating tensions and retaliatory trade barriers, negotiators have emerged with what they called a 'framework agreement', a non-binding but symbolic structure meant to uphold the 90-day tariff truce struck in Geneva in May. While the framework itself lacks legal enforceability, it does offer a potential de-escalation route in a trade war that has shaken supply chains across critical sectors, including aluminium, electronics, defence, and electric vehicles. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the broad contours of the deal, suggesting that while headline tariffs...
Sunjay Kapur: Former ACMA president, industrialist and polo enthusiast passes away at 53
Sunjay J. Kapur, the prominent chairman of Sona Comstar and former President of the Automotive Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA), tragically passed away at the age of 53. The industrialist suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while playing polo in the United Kingdom, in a sudden incident reportedly triggered by an insect sting or swallowing during the match. In a poignant parallel to his demise, just hours prior, Kapur had expressed condolences on X for the victims of the June 12 Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad (India), “Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.” Kapur, who steered Sona Comstar into a global auto components powerhouse, was not only an...
Vedanta Aluminium sets the benchmark for sustainable water management in India — pushes for 'Water Positivity by 2030'
In a country where water scarcity is both a rural crisis and an industrial liability, few sectors are as thirsty and as scrutinised as the aluminium industry. With primary aluminium production requiring anywhere between 20,000 to 40,000 litres of water per tonne, efficient water use isn’t just an operational concern; it’s a socio-environmental imperative. While reliance on dated, extractive water systems and rudimentary discharge mechanisms usage remains a key focus area to work upon as an industry, Vedanta Aluminium has helmed sustainable operations with a narrative of an apt blend of recycling, zero-liquid discharge, and community water stewardship. Image for representational purposes only What typically happens to water in aluminium production Water is integral across the aluminium...
