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.
The gradual rise of Indonesia’s Alumina export
Indonesia stands aligned with the top bauxite production nations and still, its alumina production and export have not been considered at a high level. But in recent years it has shown some gradual rise in alumina exports (2016-20). The Alumina export of Indonesia has shown a growth of 96.29% when compared between 2019 and 2016 (2019 – 1.35 million tonnes and 2016 - .05 million tonnes). The country had planned for 178 smelters and out of it only 25 are commissioned/operation stage, 37 smelters are at various stages of construction and the rest are at F/S and environmental impact assessments. The major issue was the lack of support from the GOI but in recent times the ban on the export of raw bauxite has forced to deliver alumina production locally. In 2016 the alumina export was 0.05...
Alcoa predicts higher Aluminium demand amid surplus
Alcoa, the American primary aluminium smelter, forecasts growing demand for aluminium in 2020 after a downtick in 2019 that accorded to its $1.1 billion loss for the year. The global aluminium demand is projected to grow between1.4-2.4%, improving from a 0.2-0.4% decline in 2019 by Alcoa. The company anticipates more equitable supply-demand dynamics for alumina and bauxite raw materials in 2020, even as its view that primary aluminium will oscillate to a surplus. The global market balance for aluminium is predicted between a 0.6-1million tonne surplus in 2020, driving back a 0.9-1.1 million tonnes deficit in 2019. Shipments of bauxite are expected to rise as much as 3% in 2020 to between 48-49 million dry metric tonnes from a year earlier, while alumina volumes edge up as much as 1% to...
Europe needs to shield and encourage a Greener, Circular and Innovative Aluminium value chain
The European Commission released the long-awaited Green Deal last December, which is presented as the EU’s new growth strategy for a climate-neutral, competitive, circular and socially just economy by mid-century. The aluminium industry is prepared to contribute to the intense transformation which Europe will have to experience to achieve these ambitions. In Europe aluminium is made, transformed and recycled. It is considered as the world’s most used non-ferrous metal due to its distinctive properties and functionality and it’s circular by nature. The demand for aluminium is expected to grow in Europe as it is becoming the material of choice for clean technology producers in applications like renewable energy, batteries, electricity systems, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable...
Rio Tinto’s Tiwai Point Aluminium smelter can be bailed out: A NZ firm promises
A New Zealand firm promises its Potline technology could rescue Rio Tinto to keep Tiwai Point open, support the Government to cut carbon emissions and help Meridian's bottom line. The distressed aluminium smelter uses about 12% of New Zealand's electricity every year, pays tens of millions of dollars every year for electricity infrastructure, while it doesn't use and employs even 1, 000 Kiwis. In late October’19, its multinational owners, Rio Tinto, declared a strategic review of Tiwai. The Kiwi firm Energia Potior, who has been hired to execute the EnPot at a smelter in Germany and coming up with a smelter in Australia, states that it has a solution to everyone's problems, addressing Meridian’s power needs, the Government’s decarbonisation goals and Rio Tinto’s concerns about...
South Africa’s Alumina import shows 6% downfall in 2020
The expected import for alumina has shown de-growth of 6% for South Africa which is accounted to 2.42 million tonnes for 2020, in comparison to 2.58 million tonnes in 2019. South Africa is not a major producer of aluminium in the African region. Guinea, Mozambique and Ghana are the leading producers of aluminium in this region. South Africa, meanwhile, does not mine bauxite nor refine alumina. The South African aluminium industry has undergone a contraction in terms of both value and volume and has raised the value of USD 1.96 billion as in 2018. The volume of alumina import has shown some significant upward trend from 2016-18 (2016 – 2.52 million tonnes, 2017 – 2.78 million tonnes and 2018 – 2.84 million tonnes). There has been a consecutive growth of 10.31% in 2017 compared to 2016 and...
Pilot drilling validates premium-grade bauxite at Gaoual, Guinea: Lindian Resources
Lindian secured their interest in the Gaoual project, Guinea in April after signing an agreement with KB Bauxite Guinea SARLU and its sole shareholder Guinea Bauxite Pty Ltd. Lindian Resources initiated drilling at two locations where the land has been sanctioned for Gaoual Bauxite Project, West Africa. The presence of premium-grade conglomerate bauxite occurrence has been confirmed. The first two holes which were drilled in alignment with the Bouba Plateaux in Guinea were strategically planned to deliver primary support for the validation of the occurrence at depth as well as grade confirmation of samples using a portable X-ray fluorescent (XRF) reader. The digging of the holes could not be completed due to some mechanical errors with the rig. The indicative average grade for each was...
Vedanta gains Supreme Court’s nod to bid for Nalco’s alumina tenders
The Odisha High court decision that allowed Vedanta to take part in the tenders for the sale of its surplus alumina was challenged by Nalco. During the time, the lower court had welcomed Vedanta’s argument that it was competent to take part in the tenders as it operated from an export-oriented zone. Vedanta Ltd. was allowed by the Supreme Court of India to bid for alumina sale tenders by state-run National Aluminium Company, delivering some relief to Anil Agarwal’s aluminium unit that is seeking to boost supplies of the raw material. Vedanta’s foreign units can bid for Nalco’s alumina tenders meant for exports and if Vedanta’s bid is affluent, the company can use the raw material at its Jharsuguda plant in the eastern state of Odisha after picking it up from Visakhapatnam port as...
Relief from Bauxite dust pollution for Linden residents: Assurance by Bosai Group
Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc. (BMGGI), has assured to carry out an ultra-dynamic dust collection measures. The residents of Linden are poised to enjoy extra relief from the dust pollution caused by the Chinese bauxite mining company. This is according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director-General, Vincent Adams, who communicated that while the EPA acknowledges that Bosai has put much effort and resources into mitigating dust pollution over the years, it is not yet enough. Adams has also told that the implementation of monitoring mechanisms, to ensure that emissions meet prescribed standards, will accompany the additional measures to combat dust pollution.
Altech accomplishes Drilling program at Kerrigan Kaolin Project
Altech Chemicals Limited, the company who is aiming to become one of the leading suppliers of high purity alumina, has announced its accomplishment of the drilling program at its 100% owned Kerrigan kaolin project in Western Australia. The Kerrigan project is situated at 20kms south of the central wheat belt town of Hyden, Western Australia and spreads over an area that is approximately 230km². The drilling program was composed of 27 air core holes for a total of 765 meters. All holes were drilled vertically with an average depth of 28 meters; samples were collected at one-meter intervals. Although Altech’s flagship Meckering kaolin deposit will deliver raw materials for its Johor HPA plant, Malaysia, as Kerrigan hosts a high-quality kaolin deposit. The completed drilling program is...
ALCOA Australia looks to Future diggers
The first time in a decade, Bauxite mining company Alcoa, at their mines near Pinjarra, Western Australia, has been offering nine-year-long traineeships and has recruited 2 peoples from Rockingham for the job. It has been published that more than 1300 peoples have applied for the traineeship program, but Jesse Horsley and Lisa Clements are the 2 lucky ones to cut. Alcoa Australia’s Huntly Bauxite mine manager Brett Hodges said the traineeships would provide valuable experience in the industry. “These traineeships are a great opportunity for people in our communities who are either changing careers or newly entering the workforce.” He also added, “The new recruits represent the future of our company and the industry.” Post a two-week onboarding program in January, the recruits will get...
GDU Mini V-Lock batteries with Aluminium back: Pioneer in Camera Industry
Global Dynamics United (GDU) is a camera Accessories Company based in Los Angeles. In a way, it is connected to the RED digital cinema. The majority of their products are photographed with RED cameras including the new RED Komodo. GDU Mini V-Lock batteries are new 98Wh batteries with machined 6061 aluminium back. They offer one D-Tap port and one USB 5V/2A port. Power output is 14.8V / 10A (120W), a maximum of 15A. They are available now in the black or red anodized finish. They majorly offer aluminium accessories like handles, quick release plates, lens caps, but even some prime lenses. The design of their products is very indistinguishable to the design of RED cameras. GDU recently presented its V-Lock (V-Mount) batteries with Aluminium back. The new GDU Mini V-Lock batteries offer 98Wh...
PEUGEOT’s vehicles rolled out with Aluminium Auto Body Sheet and CMS
Constellium SE is the provider of Aluminium Auto Body Sheet for the hood of Groupe PSA’s New PEUGEOT Partner and the New PEUGEOT Rifter. Constellium provides Surfalex® for the outer hood panels, a material developed to meet extreme requirements for high surface quality with specific edging and roping properties. For the inner hood, it delivers a material solution with superior formability and mechanical resistance that enables efficient processing of complex geometries on the customer’s equipment. <iframe width="550" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lA3W1YGfvzM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> It also delivers the front Crash Management System (CMS) for this range of vehicles....
US import of Al crude, alloys and metals from Qatar: Abrupt rise in 24% during Jan-Sept
The US import of aluminium crude, metals, and alloys from Qatar has shown an abrupt rise in 24% during Jan’19-Sept’19 in comparison to the previous year at the same phase. The total import recorded to 123,000 tonnes during Jan’19-Sept’19, whereas in the previous year during Jan’18-Sept’18 the import was recorded at 93,100. Though from June’19-Sept’19 there have been some insignificant figures recorded in the US imports of aluminium crude, metals and alloys from Qatar (June-11900 tonnes, July-15300 tonnes, August-10,700 tonnes and September-9400 tonnes). There has been a rise of 3400 tones when compared between June’19 and July’19. Again there is a steep decrease in import in August’19 when compared to July’19 which accounted for 4600 tones. Substantially there is again a downfall when...
Maharashtra gets ready to auction Bauxite dumps
The new state Govt. of Maharashtra, India, led by Uddhav Thackeray has delivered a push in the mining activity by issuing fresh guidelines for the auction of tonnes of bauxite dumps. Maharashtra has enormous dumps of bauxite. As per the new policy guidelines issued by the industries department, the dumps are proposed to be auctioned on “as is where is” basis. The rule will be applied for the disposal of mining dumps of major mineral outside the “legal mining areas”. The new guidelines, issued on 8 th January’20, have come as uncertainty continues over the fresh extraction of ore in the country. Besides the disposal of low-grade ores and overburdened dumps on government and private land and forest areas, the guidelines are also meant to give the mining industry a push. It also comes at a...
AAI urges Govt. to lower customs duty on critical raw materials
The aluminium industry has sought the government to lower the basic customs duty on critical raw materials like aluminium fluoride, making a statement that high import duties are a huge drawback as they make Indian finished goods overpriced and uncompetitive in the international markets. The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) said: "To improve the cost structure of the Indian Aluminium Industry and enhance competitiveness, it is requested to reduce the basic customs duty on the critical raw materials.” The aluminium industry has suggested to the Government of India for the forthcoming Union Budget 2020-21, that basic customs duty on raw materials like aluminium fluoride, caustic soda lye and green anode/pre-baked carbon anode needs to be slashed to 2,5% from the present 7.5%. AAI has...
Stands strong as the French leader in aluminium shipbuilding: Piriou enters the 250th club
The Piriou group has acquired the order for an offshore delivery vessel from Jana Marine Services, a Saudi Arabian company. The vessel is premeditated for the transportation of personnel and freight, will be the 250th aluminium vessel built by the Piriou Company in Concarneau. The Piriou Group has published that it had just secured the order for a 55m Fast Passenger & Supply Vessels (FPSV) by Jana Marine Services, a Saudi provider of maritime services for the oil and gas industry offshore. Certain revamping will be made to this vessel to meet the specific demands of the owner, in particular, an increased speed thanks to a new propulsion unit. This FPSV will provide multiple missions for the offshore industry, including the transport of personnel and freight. It thus has a lounge furnished...
Alcoa donates US$ 50,000 to support the Australian Red Cross towards BUSHFIRE crisis
“As the bushfire crisis continues across Australia, our thoughts are with all those impacted” – Alcoa. Alcoa Corporation is the world's eighth-largest producer of aluminium, has expressed their sincere admiration and gratitude to all involved in fire fighting and recovery efforts, including volunteers who are making a difference. Alcoa has also thanked its employees, who are either volunteering or fundraising. “We are proud to support the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund with a US$50,000 donation from the Alcoa Foundation. While the major fires are some distance from our Australian operations, the pain is being felt across the country. Please heed the warnings of authorities and keep yourselves and your loved ones safe.” – Alcoa. Fuelled by a lengthy and intensifying drought, an...
Big Blaze at McKechnie Transforming Aluminium: New Plymouth, NZ
McKechnie Aluminium, the leading global trusted brand to manufacture and deliver high-quality aluminium components that create successful products, have been seen with sparks, flames and plume of thick black smoke rising above, in Bell Block, on Friday night 10 th January’20 and it was visible from more than 6 KMs away in New Plymouth. At least eight fire units are tackling a blaze at an industrial site in Taranaki. The Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said they were alerted by an alarm in the building, on Paraite Rd, at 7.36 pm. The crews have sent out the fifth alarm to make am emergency ring for the crews who are far away as Whanganui has been called to help them out. Police and an ambulance are also on the scene. There was no report of casualties. The cause of the fire is not...
