AlCircle News Edited By "Rupankar Majumder"
A professional with a technical background, specialising in producing insightful content centred around metals, particularly aluminium, passionately engaged in the intricacies of the recycling sector.
Dr Mark Cooksey appointed as the new CEO of ABx Group
The developer of high-technology businesses in the world of mining and minerals exploration, ABx Group has appointed Dr Mark Cooksey, the CEO of Alcore, its subsidiary, as the Chief Executive of the parent company. Following ABx prolonged leader Ian Levy decided to stand down from his present designation from 1 st February 2022. Dr Mark Cooksey earlier held the CEO position of Alcore, an ABx company that has been developing an aluminium fluoride refinery in NSW. Dr Cooksey initially began his professional career with aluminium smelting at Comalco/Rio Tinto Alcan before setting his feet for a long-term tenure at the CSIRO, where he was associated with new process technologies in the minerals and metals industries, comprising bauxite processing and rare earth element technologies. Ian Levy,...
Indonesia: President Joko Widodo visits PT Bintan Alumina refinery in Riau Islands
On 24 th January 2022, the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo visited the Riau Islands to conduct a review of the bauxite to the alumina processing facility at PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia in Galang Batang-Bintan, Riau Islands province. The Presidential attendant from Jakarta arrives at Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport (RHF) Tanjungpinang and was welcomed by the provincial governor of Riau Islands Ansar Ahmad together with Forkominda. Furthermore, the President visited directly to PT BAI in Galang Batang to inspect the alumina refinery. The construction of the alumina refinery with a production capacity of 1 million tonnes per year in the Galang Batang Special Economic Zone has been accomplished, which was confirmed by President Director of PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia (BAI), Santoni....
Downstream products weekly review: Novelis achieves GreenCircle Certification for 99% recycled aluminium content in three of its alloys; Eastern Shipbuilding Group inaugurates new aluminium fabrication facility
The downstream segment of the global aluminium industry remained highlighted in the week due to some of the eventful happenings. The American industrial aluminium company, Novelis, a subsidiary of Indian aluminium and copper manufacturing company Hindalco Industries achieves GreenCircle Certification for 99% recycled aluminium content in three of its alloys. The shipbuilder based in Panama City, Florida, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, which has delivered over 350 vessels to commercial clients, inaugurated a new aluminium fabrication facility. According to a report on January 17, 2022, Hydro will establish a new photovoltaic power system at its aluminium extrusion plant in Trzcianka, Poland. The power system will expectedly come into operation in Q3, 2022, to generate 7.5GWh/year of power to...
Jamaica collected $2 billion from the bauxite levy in late 2021: Finance Minister
The Jamaican Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke has manifested that the govt. has collected $2 billion from the bauxite levy in late 2021. On 18 th January 2022, while countering the questions put forward by Phillip Paulwell, the mining spokesperson of the opposition in the House of Representatives, the minister advocated that the figure of the levy may have been overlooked as a line item in the Government's revenue package. “The levy payments were due to the efforts of the former Minister of Mining Robert Montague, who was removed from that ministry in the recent Cabinet shuffle”, said Dr Nigel Clarke. “It was due to the good work of that former minister that we collected $2 billion in bauxite levy in the last few months.” Robert Montague, presently the Ministry...
Inalum aluminium production attains 243,000 tonnes in 2021
The Indonesian aluminium giant PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum in vernacular known as Inalum attained aluminium production of 243,000 tonnes while sales were recorded at 218,000 tonnes in 2021. The Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) holding company depended on aluminium commodities by diversifying the portfolio into ingots, alloys, and billets. On 20 th January 2022, Danny Praditya, the Director of Operations and Portfolio stated, “Throughout 2021, in the middle of the second year of the pandemic, the company will continue to optimize the operational effectiveness of its aluminium smelter by keeping the entire business chain running.” He further added, “Maintaining the supply chain of raw materials to the performance of Hydroelectric Power Plants (PLTA) as the main energy source, the 2021...
Russia’s RM Rail initiates assembling of a new model aluminium hopper car
The integrated manufacturer of freight rolling stock in Russia, RM Rail, also a member of the Russian Aluminium Association has initiated assembling an aluminium alloy mineral hopper model 19-1299. The aluminium hopper car is designed for the transportation of various cargoes, comprising mineral fertilizers. It can also be used for grain and other bulk cargoes. However, the design provides for the use of an innovative 25 TNF axle load bogie. This hopper has half a ton lower tare weight and increased carrying capacity (79 tons), in comparison to the previous generation model. The body volume is 111 cubic meters. It was successfully achieved by applying a new aluminium alloy 1581 alloyed with scandium. The Russian material scientist whose proprietary design is Alloy 1581 was inspired by...
Rusal’s Aughinish alumina refinery seeks storage expansion capacity of bauxite residue and salt cake to sustain until 2039
The major alumina asset of Rusal and one of the world’s leading energy-efficient refineries, Aughinish alumina stated that numerous developments are essential at their facility near Askeaton, Limerick County to pursue production until at least 2039. However, lacking these developments, the company stated in its planning application that the refinery might discontinue production in 2030 based on current production levels of 1.9 million tonnes of alumina a year. Since 1983, the Aughinish alumina refinery has been functioning with current staff strength of 482 and a further 385 people in maintenance and contract jobs. The company said in its planning application, “The closure of the facility at Aughinish would result in a significant loss in highly-skilled employment opportunities in the...
Exxelia acquires high value stake in aluminium electrolytic capacitor maker Alcon Electronics
The leading designer and producer of high-reliability passive components, Exxelia, which is also the maker of precision subsystems focusing on highly demanding markets, applications and functions, has stated that it has acquired a majority stake in Alcon Electronics for around $100 million. The company also commented that with this partnership, Exxelia will gain a boost from the unique engineering capabilities of Alcon centred on testing and instrumentation equipment. The largest capacitor manufacturing company in India, Alcon Electronics with its state of the art technology is also counted as the leading designer and manufacturer of catalogue and custom-designed film and aluminium electrolytic capacitors, distinctively catering the renewable energy, induction heating equipment, medical...
Denmark’s import of aluminium stranded wire during 2019-21 exhibits volatile movement; 25% dip estimated for 2022
Aluminium stranded wire has the deficient resistance empowering long fences to be powered up, diminishing the number of energizers required. The flexibility feature offered by the stranded aluminium wire makes working with this wire easier during installation and upshots in a neat clean look on the fence without compromising the fence’s performance. The commodity also has usage in other segments immensely. The economy of Denmark is majorly dependent on service industries, trade, and manufacturing. The Scandinavian nation imported 6098 tonnes of aluminium stranded wire during 2019-21, attracting revenue expenditure of around $11.58 million for the import. The Danish import of aluminium stranded wire in 2019 was registered at 2545 tonnes, incurring revenue outflow of $6.49 million, whereas,...
Aluminium collection and recycling specialist ‘NOVA MET’ initiates for a secondary aluminium production facility
The emerging company in the metals recycling industry, NOVA MET is mounting its secondary aluminium production facility in the Le Havre port area of France. The specialist in the collection and recycling of aluminium scrap, NOVA MET has now inked a land-use agreement with HAROPA PORT, while from January 2022 it will be commencing its recycled aluminium purification and preparation operations. Alexis Noyer, the Associate Director of NOVA MET said, “The agreement signed with HAROPA PORT is for us the start of a grand adventure and an opening out to the world via the sea. We are conscious of current ecological issues, and in our view, the circular economy offers a way of helping address tomorrow’s environmental challenges.” It is now very much known that the metal aluminium is 100%...
Vedanta Aluminium, Runaya Refining bags ‘Gold’ at BW Recycling for a Greener Tomorrow Awards 2022
India’s largest producer of aluminium and value-added products, Vedanta Aluminium and start-up manufacturing firm Runaya Refining have secured the ‘Gold’ award at the (Business World) BW Recycling for a Greener Tomorrow Awards 2022 in the category of ‘Best in Recycling or Material Recovery Facility of the Year’. Vedanta produces more than half of India’s aluminium at 1.97 million metric tonnes, at its smelters in Jharsuguda (Odisha) and BALCO (Chhattisgarh). However, around 1.5% of the total quantity is lost in the form of aluminium dross, a by-product that contains recoverable aluminium, aluminium nitrides and oxides, spinel, magnesium silicate, gupeiite, and sodium titanate. Runaya Refining, through its technological tie-up with TAHA International S.A., is not only able to enhance...
Alcoa Australia extends lime supply contract to Cockburn Cement
Alcoa of Australia Ltd, which operates one of the world's largest integrated bauxite mining, alumina refining has extended its supply contract of lime to AdBri subsidiary Cockburn Cement until January 2023. The calcium-containing inorganic mineral lime is extensively used as an additive in alumina production by the Bayer process, as it provides higher alumina recovery and lowers caustic soda consumption, controlling impurities and reducing the inhibiting effect of sodium titanates, promoting settling and filtering properties of the red mud. As per our sources, it has been reported that the value of the extension is US$18m – $25.3 million. Alcoa of Australia diverted towards using imported lime at its Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup alumina refineries in Western Australia from June 2020....
Rio Tinto slammed with hefty fine by WorkSafeBC for violation of air contaminants at Kitimat aluminium smelter
The Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia, operating as WorkSafeBC, is a statutory agency that came into existence in 1917 has delivered the global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto a $678,889 fine, following the metal company was persistently alerted of a hazardous violation caused by air contaminants. On 16 th December 2021, the fine was imposed following a WorkSafeBC inspection of a building used for cleaning and servicing equipment at Rio Tinto’s Kitimat aluminium smelter. However, the inspection was a follow-up from an endorsement in regards to governing workers’ exposure to process dust that contained toxic and carcinogenic substances such as beryllium. WorkSafeBC stated “We had issued previous orders regarding the control of harmful airborne dust and accumulations. Rio...
Alba warmly receives the high-level delegation from Spanish group ALEASTUR
On 16th January 2022, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East which initiated its commercial operations way back in 1971, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Spanish group ALEASTUR. The delegation from ALEASTUR comprised of Leopoldo Galán, the MD of Aleastur Aluminium Business Unit & COO, Enrique Sela, the Country Manager of Aleastur Middle East WLL, Alberto Fernández, the Interim Plant Manager of Aleastur Middle East WLL and Meshari Saeed, the Production Manager of Aleastur Middle East WLL was warmly received by Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Baqali, Chief Marketing Officer Khalid A. Latif, Chief Supply Officer Waleed Tamimi and other senior officials from Alba. Spanning over more than two decades, both the parties Alba and ALEASTUR have...
UAE’s export of aluminium scrap during 2019-21 illustrates uneven movement; 9% downfall predicted for 2020
The nation in the Gulf region, United Arab Emirates is one of the largest producers of aluminium in the world, with Emirates Global Aluminium is ranked as one of the largest industrial companies of UAE outside the oil and gas sector. EGA takes part in the national can collection programme, marking 344,216 kg of aluminium cans collected over 25 years. Other than EGA’s contribution in old stock and fresh stock scrap, the aluminium downstream segment also generates a noteworthy quantity of scrap. One of the top ten richest countries in the world by the measure of GDP per Capita, UAE exported 263,348 tonnes of aluminium scrap during 2019-21, attracting revenue of around $326.96 million from the export. In 2019, UAE exported 68,680 tonnes of aluminium scrap, incurring an inflow of $82.74...
BALCO’s significant contribution supporting India in the journey of becoming self-reliant
India’s iconic Aluminium producer, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) apart from setting new benchmarks in the field of production, productivity, research and development, quality and others have also served the society with optimism through its various flagship projects. The momentous contributions of BALCO through its 56 years long developmental journey has led to the development of state and country at large, thus, supporting India in its journey of becoming ‘self-reliant’. Balco’s march towards the contribution of nation development continued with the business operations by adhering to COVID safety protocols during the testing times of the pandemic. Though the organization was also affected by the COVID induced worldwide economic disruptions but the resilience of the aluminium...
Akufo-Addo govt. resolute to sustain Ghana Bauxite Company
The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources of Akufo-Addo govt. in Ghana, George Mireku Duker, who is in charge of the mining industry in the country, has delivered relief to the workers of Ghana Company (GBC) from the dismay of feasible collapse. He emphasized that the enterprise endeavoured by the government would guarantee the long-term survival of the Company. He said, “The future of the company had been a subject of discussion in the media in recent times after the Company’s major shareholder pulled out.” “The exit of the investor created uncertainties, with some workers threatening to embark on a demonstration if the government failed to come to their aid.” However, the Ministry, in a succession of meetings with the ‘Ghana Mines Workers Union’ and other key stakeholders...
Aluminium Dunkerque to detain current production anticipating govt. relief on power prices
On 14 th January 2022, a spokesperson from Europe’s largest aluminium smelter, Aluminium Dunkerque in France stated that the company is not scheduling to regulate further production following the contemporary curbs, as it anticipates for government subsidy on energy prices to enforce. The smelter has curtailed its aluminium production by 15%, allying several other aluminium facilities in Europe is diminishing production, a counter towards towering energy prices that have dented margins for the energy-intensive aluminium industry. The spokesperson also added that no fresh curbs were chalked out. Meanwhile, the aluminium smelter right now will not resume the idled production units given that the French Govt. relief is due to be implemented from April 2022. On 13 th January 2022, the...
