AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
VBX secures environmental approvals to expand Wuudagu bauxite project
VBX Limited has obtained approval from the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Australian Government's environment department to modify the development plan for its Wuudagu bauxite project in northern Western Australia. The revised proposal reduces the project's indicative footprint by almost 10 per cent to about 1,775 hectares while increasing planned mining and beneficiation rates to up to 9 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). One of the major changes involves shifting the beneficiation plant inland from Guy Point. VBX said the move is intended to lower potential impacts on coastal and marine environments. Other proposed changes include narrower sealed haul roads, a distributed bore field with an optional desalination plant for water supply, and the...
Cameroon’s Minim Martap Project targets first bauxite shipment by September 2026
Australian mining company Canyon Resources has refined the development timeline for its Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon’s Adamawa region, with the first shipment of bauxite now expected by the end of the third quarter of 2026, around late September. The project is being developed through Canyon’s local subsidiary, Camalco. Before exports can begin, the company must complete a logistics network connecting the mine to Cameroon’s railway system and the Port of Douala. According to the company’s latest update, the first seven locomotives allocated to the project are expected to arrive at the Port of Douala by the end of the second quarter of 2026. The first batch of railcars is scheduled to arrive in July, ahead of the planned start of commercial exports. Rail transport forms a...
Century Aluminum shareholders elect seven directors, ratify auditor at 2026 annual meeting
Century Aluminum Company has reported the outcome of its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, with shareholders approving the election of seven board members, endorsing executive compensation, and ratifying Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company's independent auditor for fiscal year 2026. According to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), 85.51 million shares, representing approximately 86.39 per cent of the company's outstanding shares, were present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, constituting a quorum. Shareholders elected Jarl Berntzen, Jennifer Bush, Jesse Gary, Errol Glasser, Wilhelm van Jaarsveld, Andrew Michelmore, and Tamla Olivier to serve one-year terms on the board until the company's 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The nominees...
India to boost defence manufacturing with 10,000-tonne aluminium extrusion facility in Nagpur
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate a 10,000-tonne aluminium extrusion press at Yantra India Limited's Ordnance Factory in Ambajhari, Nagpur, on Friday. The proposed facility is expected to become an important resource for India's defence manufacturing sector. The extrusion press will enhance the country's ability to produce large, high-strength and precision aluminium alloy extrusions required for defence and aerospace applications. Ministry of Defence said the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, alongside other officials of the Department of Defence Production and YIL, will be present at the ceremony. India’s defence production touched a record INR 1.78 trillion (USD 18.85 billion) in FY 2025-26, according to the Ministry of Defence. The...
FIFA World Cup could generate millions of pounds worth of recyclable aluminium cans in the UK
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to drive a surge in drink can consumption across the UK, with an estimated 2 billion cans likely to be used during the tournament, according to Recycle Now and Every Can Counts. If all of those cans are collected and recycled, they would have an estimated market value of around GBP 28.5 million (USD 38.48 million), based on current aluminium scrap prices. The organisations said aluminium cans remain one of the most valuable and widely recycled packaging materials. On average, used beverage cans are worth about GBP 1,000 (USD 1,350) per tonne in the recycling market. The campaign aims to encourage football fans to recycle their empty cans while watching matches at home, in public venues or at fan events. Explore: The most comprehensive and...
Conglin Aluminum completes supply of key aluminium components for CRRC rail project
Conglin Aluminum Technology has completed the supply of aluminium carbody profiles and precision-machined components for a rail transit project involving CRRC Qingdao Sifang, one of China's largest train manufacturers. The supplied aluminium products will be used in several parts of the train body, including roof structures, sidewalls, floor sections, side beams and components linked to power collection systems. According to the company, the materials are designed to support the lightweight construction and structural requirements of modern rail vehicles, including metro, suburban and intercity trains. The project adds to Conglin Aluminum's long-standing relationship with CRRC, which has used the company's aluminium products in a range of railway applications over the years. Explore: The...
CVS begins replacing plastic pill bottles with aluminium packaging
CVS is rolling out aluminium bottles for some of its store-brand medicines, replacing the plastic containers that have long been used for over-the-counter pills. The change will initially apply to larger packs of allergy and pain-relief medicines sold under the CVS brand. The products contain the same active ingredients as well-known medications such as Allegra, Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Tylenol and Advil. According to the company, the move is intended to modernise packaging while offering a material that is more widely recycled than traditional plastic bottles. CVS said the aluminium containers provide similar protection for medicines and help maintain product shelf life. The company also noted that prices for the products will remain unchanged despite the switch in packaging. Explore:...
Alupro calls for stronger measures to keep recycled aluminium in the UK
The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) has warned that large volumes of recycled aluminium continue to leave the UK, raising concerns about the long-term availability of the metal for domestic industries. In a new industry manifesto, the organisation outlined a number of measures it believes could help increase the supply of recycled aluminium and strengthen the country's circular economy. According to Alupro, sectors such as packaging, automotive, construction, transport, defence and energy infrastructure are expected to require more aluminium in the years ahead, making reliable supply increasingly important. Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro, said the UK needs to do more to keep recycled aluminium within the domestic supply chain rather than exporting it...
Hydro to shut two US aluminium extrusion plants in 2027
Hydro has announced plans to close its aluminium extrusion plants in City of Industry, California, and Delhi, Louisiana, during 2027. The company said operations at the California facility will end on January 1, 2027, although some activities are expected to continue through the first quarter. The Louisiana plant will continue operating until April 1, 2027, followed by a gradual shutdown through the third quarter of the year. According to Hydro, both facilities have been operating below capacity and would require significant investment to continue meeting operational requirements. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The company said the closures are part...
EU backs new tariff rules with protection for aluminium and steel industries
The European Parliament has given final approval to two pieces of legislation implementing tariff commitments agreed under the August 2025 EU-US joint statement. The main regulation removes tariffs on all US industrial goods and grants preferential market access for a range of US seafood and agricultural products. This includes specific provisions for the aluminium sector, addressing US tariffs on aluminium and steel derivatives. In August 2025, the United States added 407 categories of derivative steel and aluminium products to its tariff list. It raised concerns within the European Union over growing trade uncertainty. In contrast, the European Commission will have the authority to suspend tariff preferences granted to the United States if, by December 31, 2026, the US continues to...
Siemens Energy to supply turbines for 2.6 GW Taweelah C Plant in Abu Dhabi
Siemens Energy will supply gas and steam turbine technology for the Taweelah C Independent Power Producer (IPP) project in Abu Dhabi, a 2.6 gigawatts combined-cycle natural gas power plant being developed to strengthen power supply and support the integration of renewable energy into the UAE grid. The company’s scope includes three gas turbines, two steam turbines, five generators and associated auxiliary systems. Once operational, the facility is expected to provide flexible power generation to meet peak demand, improve grid reliability and help balance increasing volumes of renewable electricity. The project is being designed with future carbon capture and storage (CCS) capability in mind, supporting the UAE’s long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. While powered by...
The Pitfield titanium project flowsheet shows potential cost savings with alumina as a by-product
Empire Metals has designed a new process flowsheet for its Pitfield titanium project and plans to produce alumina as a co-product through processing. Alumina, a hard, durable chemical compound extracted primarily from bauxite ore and heavily used as a primary material for smelting aluminium metal. Previously, Empire Metals explained that its mining body contains several minerals apart from titanium minerals. Among those is an alumina clay mineral. Managing Director of the company, Shaun Bunn, said that they want to reject that concentration from the front end of the plant through flotation because it has a tendency to dilute the titanium concentrate. But this is a very natural carryover during the process. He said, “Rather than continue to try and reject it, we can actually extract the...
Greenland Mines expands alumina and critical minerals strategy with stake in AnorTech
Greenland Mines will fortify its foothold in the critical minerals segment of the economy through a strategic investment in the mineral-focused technology and resource development company, AnorTech Inc., for an initial equity stake of 9.9 per cent. Under the terms of this agreement, Greenland Mines will also have an option to increase its ownership in AnorTech to no more than 19.9 per cent over the next six months. This action bolsters Greenland's determination to create a comprehensive supply chain for critical materials. The investment supports Greenland Mines’ North Atlantic Critical Metals Corridor strategy, an initiative designed to connect Greenland’s abundant mineral resources with allied industrial and processing hubs. Through the partnership, the company gains exposure to...
Mozambique confirms talks over future of Mozal aluminium smelter
The Mozambican government said negotiations are under way regarding the future of the Mozal aluminium smelter, the country's largest industrial operation. The facility has been under care and maintenance since March after operations were halted over concerns about rising electricity costs. Government spokesperson Salim Valá confirmed that discussions are taking place with interested parties but declined to provide details, saying the process is still ongoing. The update comes after South32, the majority owner of Mozal, said it is reviewing different options for the smelter. The company has a 63.7 per cent stake in the project and has not ruled out a future restart if conditions improve. According to reports, South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which owns 32.48 per...
China's rare-earth exports rise in value as global demand stays strong
China exported 25,378 tonnes of rare-earth ore, metals and compounds between January and May 2026, up 2.2 per cent from the same period a year earlier, according to customs data. While export volumes rose only slightly, the value of those shipments climbed much faster. Export earnings reached USD 243.63 million during the five-month period, marking a 44.9 per cent increase compared with the previous year. In May alone, China's rare-earth exports totalled 5,490.4 tonnes, with shipments valued at USD 63.08 million. The huge gap between volume growth and export value show that prices for rare-earth materials have spiked sharply over the past year. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand,...
LME aluminium price graph: Aluminium prices decline while warehouse stocks continue to edge lower
LME aluminium prices moved lower on June 16 compared with June 15, with both cash and three-month contracts recording declines. Meanwhile, exchange inventories continued to shrink, reflecting ongoing withdrawals from LME warehouses. The LME cash bid price fell to USD 3,358.50 per tonne on June 16 from USD 3,418.50 per tonne on June 15, indicating a decrease of 1.76 per cent. The cash offer price also dropped by 1.77 per cent to USD 3,359 per tonne from USD 3419.5 per tonne. Three-month aluminium prices followed a similar trend. The three-month bid slipped from USD 3,430 per tonne to USD 3,388.50 per tonne, representing a decline of 1.21 per cent, while the offer price also fell by 1.21 per cent, dropping from USD 3,431 per tonne to USD 3,389.50 per tonne Explore: The most comprehensive...
Aluminium Stocks of Hindalco, NALCO and Vedanta under pressure after sharp drop in LME Prices
Shares of Hindalco, Vedanta and NALCO fell sharply after aluminium prices declined in global markets following reports of a preliminary peace agreement between the United States and Iran. Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) dropped 4.4 per cent to about USD 3,379.50 per tonne, their lowest level since March. The decline came as traders reacted to expectations that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen, easing concerns over supply disruptions in the Middle East. The fall in aluminium prices weighed on metal stocks, with the Nifty Metal index among the weakest-performing sectoral indices during the session. NALCO was the biggest loser among the three companies, falling nearly 6per cent. It is most exposed as it primarily sells alumina and primary aluminium. Vedanta declined...
Chang Aluminum set for control change under $197.9M stake transfer deal
Chang Aluminum is set for a change in ownership after its controlling shareholder, Qilu Caijin Investment Group, agreed to sell a 22.38 per cent stake in the company to Shandong Jixin Industrial Development. The proposed transaction values the shares at RMB 5.79 (USD 0.86) each, putting the total deal value at around RMB 1.338 billion (USD 197.9 million). If the transfer is completed, control of the company will change hands, with Jixin Industrial Development becoming the new controlling shareholder, replacing Qilu Caijin. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The transaction will also result in a change in the company's actual controller. Oversight would...
