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.
Portugal’s import of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2018-20 exhibits express rise with minor fall; Marginal growth estimated for 2021
Portugal's economic recovery has seen express drive and strong since it started easing its COVID-19 lockdown in mid-March. The economy slumped 7.6% in 2020, and in mid-January Portugal imposed a strict lockdown, its second since the pandemic began, due to the world's worst surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The southern European nation, Portugal’s books of import reveals importation of 8416 tonnes of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2018-20 and the expenditure occurred for the import accounted to $24.43 million. In 2018, Portugal’s import of aluminium tubes and pipes was 1934 tonnes and the expenditure remained at $6.30 million, whereas, in 2019, the import drove with express of 68.30%, as the import volume rose to 3255 tonnes and the expenditure also grew to $9.44 million. The export...
Bauxite miner Metro Mining signs two binding spot cargo agreements with Shanxi Liulin Senze Aluminium Company
The Australian exploration and mining company Metro Mining (MMI) has signed two binding spot cargo agreements with Shanxi Liulin Senze Aluminium Company of China. The two cargo agreements are for around 60,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) from Metro’s flagship project, the Bauxite Hills Mine, located in the Western Cape York in Queensland. Shanxi Senze is a subsidiary of Senze Energy Group which produces alumina at its plant in Shanxi province and feeds the Chinese domestic market and also exports. The alumina refinery in Shanxi province has a production capacity of 1.3 million tonnes, and it requires around three million dry metric tonnes of bauxite every year. Shanxi Senze distinctively looking towards a partial replacement of its historical supply of domestic bauxite with international...
Every Can Counts survey indicates Ireland ranks high for environmental concerns
The freshly revealed research exhibits that environmental concerns within Ireland are amongst the highest in Europe. The survey of thousands of people across 15 European countries, conducted by Every Can Counts, a not-for-profit communications programme working to inspire, encourage and empower people to recycle their empty drink cans indicates that 97% of Irish respondents commended for protecting the environment is important to them. Environmental concerns were only felt more strongly in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The importance of recycling in safeguarding the environment is also widely recognised, with six in 10 people in Ireland saying they ‘always’ recycle drink cans when on the go. Nearly two-thirds (64%) state that they would recycle more if there were a greater...
King River Resources secures Research & Development tax rebate
The mining exploration company King River Resources Ltd has improved its finances upon securing a Research & Development tax rebate of $382,463.65. The fund will be utilized for working capital. The company’s research towards the development of the processing methodology conducted during the 2020 financial year meets the criteria set out for the Research & Development Scheme and permits the deductible cost of the research to be claimed as a tax rebate. The confirmation of King River Resources towards its plan for the Kwinana plant’s technical and economic viability came up, as a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project was released. The PFS predicts a production rate of 9,000 tonnes per annum of 99.99% HPA once at full production, with project revenue of more...
Azerbaijan’s import of aluminium foil during 2018-20 illustrates sharp growth to marginal dip
As per the World Economic Outlook report presented by the International Monetary Fund in April, it stated that Azerbaijan’s economy is forecasted to grow at 2.3% in 2021. Meanwhile, the national economy is expected to grow at 1.7% in 2022. The forecast for the current year is improved by 0.3% points compared to the previous forecast. The nation which spans Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan has recorded 1202 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2018-19 and the expenditure occurred for the import was $4.35 million. The import for 2020 stood at 753 tonnes and the expenditure accounted was $2.74. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets assorted with the existing two years, it denotes 1955 tonnes and $7.09 million. In 2018, Azerbaijan’s import was registered at 377 tonnes and the...
Entire aluminium dross removed from Mataura’s paper mill site to New Zealand Aluminium Smelter, Environment Minister welcomes the decision
The entire 10,000 tonnes of aluminium dross, a by-product of the aluminium smelting process, which stored in Mataura old paper mill site next to the Mataura River has been removed. David Parker, Environment Minister of New Zealand has welcomed the decision that on 30th July, the last bags of dross were moved from Mataura and stored in watertight shipping containers at New Zealand Aluminium Smelters' Tiwai Point. The Minister said: "The safe removal means Mataura residents no longer need to worry about the risk from the material, which gives off ammonia gas if it gets wet.” "I'm glad that the dross has now gone from Mataura and local residents don't need to worry any longer. The safe removal will protect the wellbeing of Southland's people and its waterways.” "Now that the Mataura site has...
Hydro plans to build an aluminium recycling plant in Michigan for the production of extrusion ingot
The Norwegian aluminium company, Hydro’s Aluminium Metal unit has inked a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire land to develop a “state-of-the-art aluminium recycling plant” in Cassopolis, Michigan, that will produce aluminium extrusion ingot. The European company said: “The planned facility in Cassopolis, which is about 45 miles southwest of Kalamazoo, Michigan, represents a key step in Hydro’s ambition of doubling its recycling of post-consumer aluminium by 2025. The aluminium produced will be used in automotive and other transportation applications and for building products.” The LOI between Hydro Aluminium Metal and landowner Midwest Energy and Communications is based on Hydro’s proposal to construct a facility in Cassopolis so that starting the year 2023 it can produce 120,000 tonnes...
Metro Mining appoints Simon Wensley as the new Managing Director and CEO
Australian exploration and mining company, Metro Mining has appointed Simon Wensley as the new Managing Director and CEO. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Simon Finnis have stepped down from his role effective 5th July 2021 following six and a half years in the position. Simon Wensley is carrying over three decades of experience in metals and mining, majorly with Rio Tinto as CCO of its energy group, and Managing Director of the bauxite, alumina sales, and marketing division. Metro Mining said: “Simon Finnis would assist in the transition to Mr. Wensley on an advisory basis over the next 12 months.” Metro’s appointment of Simon Wensley comes up with a base salary of $540k, which will be to be reviewed each year. The mining company has revealed that Wensley will receive 80% of...
Altech Chemicals establish its R&D laboratory in Perth, Western Australia
Altech Chemicals Limited, the Australian Securities Exchange-listed company has notified that is it has established its own research and development laboratory in Perth, Western Australia. The establishment was smoothly transformed to Altech’s R&D laboratory, as it was previously occupied by an environmental consulting business. Since, May 2021, the laboratory has been in a commissioning phase and was close to finalization. Altech can now conduct a full range of research, development, and test work (including battery tests) to refine its graphite and silicon particle battery materials HPA coating technology, unhindered at its laboratory. However, previously this work was being conducted at Curtin University (WA) and needed to be scheduled around laboratory availability, which did not...
Lithuania’s export of aluminium scraps during 2018-20 displays rapid to marginal growth; 10% downswing predicted for 2021
The GDP of Lithuania grew 1.2% Y-o-Y in Q1 2021, contrasting the 1.2% drop tallied in Q4 2020 and the reading was revised up from the preliminary estimate of a 1.0% expansion, according to a second estimate released on 1 st June by FocusEconomics. The country holds some aluminium downstream and end-user facilities, which create a good amount of aluminium scrap and by way of exporting, it contributes to the economy. The nation in the Baltic region of Europe, Lithuania has booked 55,821 tonnes of aluminium scrap exportation during 2018-20 and the revenue generated from the export accounts for $55.90 million. Lithuania’s export of aluminium scrap in 2018 was registered at 11,904 tonnes and the earnings remained at $13.64 million, whereas, in 2019, the export displayed rapid growth by 81.80%,...
PT Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery shows concern over labour unions strike in regards to the wage scale
Indonesia’s first and largest smelter grade alumina producer, PT Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery management took seriously the issue of a strike that will be carried out by the PK-SBSI labour union and PT Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery’s FSBSPK regarding the issue of the structure of the employee wage scale on 5th July 2021. Boni Subekti, Director of PT Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery, said: “The company is always open to communicating in discussions aimed at finding the best solution.” “The company had carried out its obligations regarding the payment of employee rights that had been agreed upon in the collective work agreement (PKB).” “Based on the records, there is no agreement in the CLA that is not executed by the company. If there is any, then it is related to...
Weekly End-user Recap: French Polynesia’s import of aluminium cans during 2018-20 displays gradual growth with a downfall; Sri Lanka’s largest cable manufacturer ‘Sierra Cables Group’ escalates all-time financial result in FY21
The week remained quite less hyper for the end-user segment, although small economies have shown better results than larger economies, as Sri Lanka’s largest cable manufacturer ‘Sierra Cables Group’ escalates all-time financial result in FY21 and on the other hand French Polynesia’s import of aluminium cans during 2018-20 displays gradual growth with a downfall. Oman, a nation on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia has recorded import of 7760 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2019-20 and the expenditure occurred for the import remained at $23.07 million. To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/omans-import-of-aluminium-foil-during-2019-20-demonstrates-sharp-downfall-140-growth-predicted-for-2021-67717 The French overseas territory with significant political...
Weekly Downstream Recap: Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance avoids collapse of Liberty Aluminium Technologies with £10 million loan repayment; Vedanta increases its aluminium products prices by more than 2% w.e.f June 30
The global aluminium industry’s downstream segment went on a lighter note this week. The vital news for the aluminium industry remains, Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance avoids the collapse of Liberty Aluminium Technologies with a £10 million loan repayment. On the other hand, India’s leading aluminium producer, Vedanta increases it's aluminium products prices by more than 2% w.e.f June 30. While in West Africa the Nigerian pride in aluminium profiles ‘ALEX’ declares the resignation of 3 directors from its board. The steep rise in raw material prices is denting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and govt. of India should entail immediately to intervene through policy decisions, said Goa State Industries Association (GSIA). Along with 170 MSME associations across India, GSIA has...
Glencore seeks to refinance Sanjeev Gupta’s European aluminium business following the surge in green metal price
The British metal magnate Sanjeev Gupta is in discussions with commodity trading house Glencore to refinance debt at his European aluminium business, a deal which would permit Gupta to retain control of one of his best assets. Sanjeev Gupta owned GFG Alliance employs around 35,000 people from the UK to Australia, has been struggling to restructure and refinance its debt after the collapse of its principal lender Greensill Capital. The Anglo-Swiss multinational commodity trading company, Glencore is in talks to refinance more than $500 million of debt towards the business of GFG Alliance’s aluminium arm, Alvance with assets in France and Belgium, as reported by our sources. Glencore’s agreement with GFG Alliance would empower Gupta to hold his chair as owner, invariance to a previous...
Canada’s import of bauxite during 2018-20 denotes substantial growth followed by marginal fall; 2021 predicted with a minor rise
The metal aluminium does not exist in a pure state in nature and it begins with bauxite ore exploration then processing to alumina, which further transforms to aluminium. Canada is ranked among the top global primary aluminium producers. There are 10 primary aluminium smelters in Canada, one is located in Kitimat, British Columbia, and the other nine are in Quebec. There is also one alumina refinery, located in Jonquière, Quebec, while bauxite mining does happen in Canada. The Northern American nation recorded 93,22,121 tonnes of bauxite importation during 2018-20 and the revenue expended for the import of bauxite was accounted for $477.77 million. In 2018, bauxite importation in Canada was registered 20,77,246 tonnes and the expenditure remained at $111.32 million, whereas, in 2019 the...
Rio Tinto examines technical implications of using hydrogen to produce green alumina
The Anglo-Australian multinational and the world's second-largest metals and mining corporation Rio Tinto is examining the technical implications of using hydrogen as a form of renewable energy in place of natural gas to reduce emissions from refining alumina. The feasibility study amounting to A$1.2m, which is equally funded by the mining company and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and will aim at replacing natural gas used during the calcination process. This is the last step in the production of alumina from bauxite and involves heating the mineral at around 1,000 degrees centigrade in heaters known as calciners. Rio Tinto will use a lab-scale reactor at its Bundoora Technical Development Centre in Melbourne, Victoria, to simulate calcination heated by hydrogen. It will...
Push to reduce Chinese dependency, India gears up to invest in aluminium battery technology replacing lithium for EV
The navigation to shrink dependence on imported materials and technology, particularly from China, India is gearing to invest in a battery technology that uses aluminium rather than lithium as the crucial ingredient. India’s largest oil refiner, Indian Oil Corporation has already collaborated with Israeli start-up company Phinergy to produce aluminium-air batteries. As India faces the scarcity of the ore to produce lithium, the vital metal for this age of electric-vehicle batteries, while the nation holds huge reserves of bauxite, the ore to produce aluminium. S.S.V. Ramakumar, R&D Director, Indian Oil, said: “Lithium is scarce in the country and we started scouting for an element which is abundantly available as a natural resource.” India ranks among the top 10 global bauxite producers....
Oman’s import of aluminium foil during 2019-20 demonstrates sharp downfall; 140% growth predicted for 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic has developed a deadly impact. It created an economic slowdown in Oman, compounded by the whimsy of the international oil market, resulting in a series of youth protests in the country. More than hundreds of unemployed Omani youth, protesting mass layoffs, took to the streets in May 2021 and the government had to use force to put an end to these protests. Oman, a nation on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia has recorded import of 7760 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2019-20 and the expenditure occurred for the import remained at $23.07 million. In 2019, Oman imported 5000 tonnes of aluminium foil in the country and the expenditure occurred for the import accounted for $16.14 million, whereas, in 2020 the import saw a sharp downfall by...
