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.
Russian aluminium stocks on LME fall to 42% in May; Indian stocks soar to 50%
In a notable shift within the global aluminium market, the share of available aluminium stocks of Russian origin in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses experienced a dramatic decline, dropping to 42 per cent in May'24 from a dominant 89 per cent in April. Concurrently, aluminium stocks of Indian origin surged to occupy 50 per cent of the stocks, a significant rise from the previous 9 per cent, according to the latest LME data released on June 10, 2024 and published by Reuters. This substantial redistribution in aluminium stock origins underscores the evolving dynamics of global metal trade, potentially influenced by geopolitical factors and shifting economic alliances. The marked decrease in Russian aluminium's presence could indicate broader market adjustments or regulatory impacts,...
Rio Tinto to acquire Mitsubishi’s 11.65% stake in Boyne Smelters Ltd., Australia
Global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto has agreed to acquire Mitsubishi Corporation’s 11.65 per cent stake in Boyne Smelters Ltd (BSL), which owns and operates the Boyne Island aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Australia, in a strategic move to expand its operations. Upon completing this transaction and the recent agreement to acquire Sumitomo Chemical Company’s 2.46 per cent interest in BSL, Rio Tinto’s interest in BSL will increase to 73.5 per cent. The acquisition, which is for an undisclosed price, is subject to various conditions precedent, including approval from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board, and is expected to be finalised in the second half of 2024. Rio Tinto is committed to a collaborative approach and looks forward to continuing to work with its remaining BSL joint...
From extraction to production: The aluminium sector must prioritise becoming 'Water-Positive'
A 'Water-Positive' business is more than just a concept. It's a commitment to replenishing more water into freshwater sources than it withdraws. This commitment goes beyond mere water sustainability, which focuses on minimising usage to maintain the quality and availability of water. Many global corporations are now at the forefront of this initiative, with several multinational giants recently announcing their plans to achieve water positivity in the near future. Organizations like the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) have been established to inspire business leaders worldwide to contribute to water positivity. Aluminium production requires substantial water resources at each stage, from bauxite extraction to refining and cooling processes. This demand is set against a backdrop of...
Ghana's mining industry eyes significant growth, bauxite production to soar
Ghana is a significant contender in the global bauxite production arena, boasting an impressive reserve estimated at 900 million tonnes. Yet, this wealth of natural resources still needs to be tapped mainly, missing out on significant economic opportunities. With strategic planning and investment, Ghana has the potential to transform its bauxite industry, catalysing industrial growth, creating jobs, and boosting the national economy. According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ghana has maintained its status as Africa's leading gold producer and the 11th largest producer worldwide, producing four million ounces in 2023. Gold production is anticipated to range between 4.3 million and 4.5 million ounces, driven by increased output from both large and small-scale producers. Large-scale gold...
From scrap to spotlight: Recycled aluminium ready to hit global markets in decarbonisation drive
The aluminium industry is intensifying its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and recycling metal can revolutionise the market. According to the Managing Director of industry consulting firm Harbor Aluminum, the world is set to add 22 million tonnes of aluminium capacity from scrap over the next five years. Notably, China will spearhead this expansion, with projects expected to contribute approximately 15 million tonnes of new secondary capacity within the same timeframe. This surge underscores a significant shift towards sustainable practices in the aluminium sector, highlighting the critical role of recycled materials in meeting future demands while mitigating environmental impact. On June 5, 2024, the Managing Director said at North America’s largest aluminium conference, “Scrap is...
Uno Minda signs TLA with Inovance Automotive for EV components in India
Uno Minda, a prominent player in India's automotive industry, has recently inked a pivotal Technical License Agreement (TLA) with Suzhou lnovance Automotive Co. of China (lnovance Automotive). This strategic move is set to revolutionise Uno Minda's presence in the electric vehicle (EV) sector within the Indian market. As part of this agreement, Uno Minda secures the rights to produce and distribute a range of cutting-edge high-voltage category EV products designed for both passenger and commercial vehicles. These include the Charging Control Unit (CCU), EV inverter, EV motors, and the revolutionary next-generation 3-in-1 electric drive systems, popularly known as e-Axle. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Uno Minda. It amplifies its electric four-wheeler (e-4W) product...
Zoran Joksic elected as the new President of ETMA
Zoran Joksic, Sales Director of Albéa, a responsible packaging company, was elected as the new European Tube Manufacturers Association (etma) President at the organisation's General Assembly meeting in Warsaw on May 24, 2024. In his inaugural speech, Joksic underlined the success of flexible tubes as a resilient, innovative, and sustainable packaging solution. He stated, "Over the last few years, the flexible tubes industry has proven to anchor stability in a very challenging economic and political environment. Etma members' clear focus on consumer-oriented and environmentally friendly packaging solutions has paid off." "Thanks to the development of new materials and features, the minimisation of material input and the increasing use of recycled materials, flexible tubes have become...
Ghana plans to tighten bauxite export laws, minister reveals
Ghana plans to implement a new legislative framework to restrict the large-scale export of raw bauxite. Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, made this announcement during the opening ceremony of the 2024 West African Mining and Power Conference and Exhibition (WAMPOC/WAMPEX) in Accra. Minister Jinapor detailed the government's strategic vision for leveraging Ghana's extensive bauxite reserves to foster the development of an integrated aluminium industry. The proposed legislation is part of a broader initiative to maximise the economic benefits of the country's mineral resources, ensuring value addition and job creation within Ghana. “We are in the process of enacting a Legislative Instrument, pursuant to section 28 of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development...
Key highlights from the global aluminium industry, May 2024
In May 2024, the global aluminium industry experienced notable price gains, driven by rising demand despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic deceleration expected in several key nations. This uptick marks a significant shift from earlier projections. At the start of the year, AL Circle's "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024" predicted a gradual increase in aluminium demand and prices, with more substantial gains anticipated towards the latter half of the year. However, the current gain suggests a faster-than-expected recovery, highlighting the sector's resilience amid challenging global conditions. As the world is paving the road towards a sustainable future and the aluminium industry is also gearing up to shift towards a green future, the aluminium industry’s biggest...
Top African nations with the world's most critical minerals
Critical minerals, essential for both economic development and national security, are increasingly at the forefront of policy discussions. These vital resources, whose availability is often concentrated in a few geographical regions, pose significant supply chain risks. The disruption of supplies can have profound implications, from hindering technological advancement to compromising national security. Unlike other commodities, critical minerals lack a universal definition. Each country designates its list of critical minerals based on specific national needs and strategic priorities. This individualised approach underscores the diverse economic and security concerns that drive the global demand for these indispensable resources. Africa possesses 30 per cent of the world's critical...
Rusal eyes new bauxite opportunity in Sierra Leone
In a significant development for the global mining industry, Rusal is currently negotiating with the government of Sierra Leone over a potential bauxite mining concession. The discussions, as reported by the RIA state news agency on June 5, 2024, were confirmed by Sierra Leone's mining minister. This move could bolster Sierra Leone's mining sector and strengthen Rusal's position as a potential player in the global bauxite market. Industry analysts eagerly anticipate the outcome of these talks, given the potential economic and strategic implications for both parties involved. Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Sierra Leone, Julius Mattai, at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, said, “We had several meetings during which they (Rusal) showed a lot of interest in opening a...
Transport networks key to Ghana's aluminium industry success
Ghana, with its vast bauxite reserves, is on the brink of a transformative journey. The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has been established to create an Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI), ready to harness the anticipated growth in the global aluminium sector. GIADEC, in a strong alliance with strategic partners, is committed to developing every aspect of the IAI value chain. This bold initiative requires robust infrastructure to meet increasing demand and seize emerging opportunities. A modern and efficient transportation network, including railways and ports, is crucial for the aluminium industry's global competitiveness. The Transport Working Group has been formed to align infrastructure development with GIADEC's strategic plans. This group includes...
ALCORE bath pilot reactor surpasses 90% fluorine recovery in recent tests
ABx Group has made a significant breakthrough with its 83 percent-owned subsidiary, ALCORE. Recent independent analyses of samples from the latest runs of ALCORE's bath pilot batch reactor have confirmed the highest fluorine recoveries to date. The reactor, which is part of the ALCORE Technology Centre on the NSW Central Coast, is designed to extract fluorine from an 'excess bath,' a byproduct of aluminium smelting, to produce hydrogen fluoride . This advancement marks a notable achievement in recovering and repurposing industrial waste, underscoring ABx Group's commitment to innovative and sustainable technologies. Since commissioning the bath pilot batch reactor in October 2023, ALCORE has conducted numerous test runs, each involving around 10kg of bath and sulfuric acid. These tests...
Mighty Earth calls for responsible bauxite mining practices to protect people and the planet
In a startling revelation, Mighty Earth's latest report, "The Impact of the Bauxite Boom on People and the Planet," uncovers the profound environmental and social ramifications of bauxite mining, a critical component in producing aluminium for electric vehicles (EVs). The comprehensive study scrutinises the operations in four major bauxite-producing countries: Indonesia, Brazil, Guinea, and Australia. The findings highlight a stark contrast between EVs' green promise and the harsh realities of their supply chains. The first global analysis of the bauxite boom across four continents examines the negative impacts of bauxite mining—the primary ore used to produce aluminium for electric vehicles. The report details the resulting environmental degradation and health issues local and Indigenous...
Rio Tinto commits A$8 million for conservation and Indigenous ranger programs in WA National Parks
The global mining giant Rio Tinto will invest A$8 million over five years in collaboration with Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to launch a new project aimed at enhancing conservation land management and supporting Traditional Owner ranger programs in Karijini and Millstream Chichester National Parks. The Pilbara Conservation Project aims to protect areas of high conservation value while incorporating the Traditional Owners' knowledge into land management practices. This project will address weed management, feral animal control, and bushfire management at Karijini, Millstream Chichester, and other significant conservation sites in the Pilbara by implementing the Pilbara Conservation Strategy. Moreover, the project is a beacon of hope,...
Struggles persist for the German aluminium sector; Q1 2024 sees a significant output dip
The German aluminium industry is navigating turbulent waters as it grapples with significant production declines across nearly all subsectors in the first quarter of 2024. This downturn exacerbates the pressure from increasing imports, posing additional challenges for domestic manufacturers, as Aluminium Deutschland released in a press release. Aluminium Deutschland is the association of the aluminium-producing and processing industry in Germany. The President of Aluminium Deutschland, Rob van Gils, emphasised, "High energy costs and the overall tense economic situation in Germany continue to hit manufacturers hard. Demand from important customer industries - especially from the construction industry - remains at a low level. Added to this are the weak registration figures for electric...
AI-driven robot in action: Veolia Southwark IWMF's solution for smarter recycling
An innovative robotic arm optimises operations and increases recycling at Veolia's Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF). As part of Veolia Southwark IWMF's aluminium recycling process, the robot removes paper , card, mixed plastics, and beverage cartons, which often contain some aluminium layers, for effective recycling. Using AI and innovation to accelerate ecological transformation, Veolia will use this data in its new strategy, GreenUP, to make informed decisions that maximise the facility's efficiency and monitor seasonal waste composition changes. The robotic solution comprises a camera, a 6-axis robotic arm , a pneumatics system, and a compute box. Using compressed air and a silicon gripper, the robot picks the item, twists it to face the correct sorting bin...
IIT Madras discovers water droplets can break minerals into nanoparticles
In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) have unveiled a pioneering method to break down common minerals into nanoparticles using water microdroplets. This remarkable discovery marks a significant milestone, as it is the first research paper from IIT-M to be published in the esteemed ‘Science’ journal. The study demonstrates that the seemingly simple action of water microdroplets can effectively break minerals, leading to the creation of nanoparticles. This innovation opens new avenues in the field of nanotechnology and materials science, highlighting the potential for sustainable and cost-effective production techniques. The publication of this research in ‘Science’ underscores the global relevance and impact of the findings and...
