AlCircle News Edited By "Trisha Hazra"
Trisha Hazra is a rising digital marketing enthusiast who is passionate about writing and content creation. She is pursuing an MBA in Digital Marketing and is on a journey to blend creativity and aluminium with strategic insights.
CHALCO results fall short, yet analysts' forecasts reveal upside
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, also well known as CHALCO, operating in bauxite mining, refining, smelting, carbon anode production and trading of aluminium alloys and gallium, has just released its full-year results. The result reflects a share gain of 9 per cent to USD 1.48, which overall is not that high. However, the revenues exceeded and have reached USD 34.87 billion. The statutory result failed to match the analysts’ forecasts by 12 per cent and finally stood at USD 0.11 per share. Upon reviewing the results, analysts updated their earnings models, making it highly vital to assess if these signals are contributing to major changes in the company’s outlook or if it is the business itself. The updated statutory forecasts have been gathered for assessing alterations in the...
India hits a record with 30 operational mineral blocks in one fiscal year
India’s mining industry has made a groundbreaking achievement, where 30 mineral blocks have been officially made operational in the financial year 2025–26. The achievement marks the first time for the country to achieve such a high number of blocks starting its operations in a single fiscal year, showcasing a significant shift in the sector. This achievement directly aligns with the country’s government’s dedication to speeding up the shift from mineral auctions to actual production on the ground. During this time, as stated by the Ministry of Mines, more than 200 mineral blocks were auctioned off. This highlights a strong momentum and a concerted effort to get these blocks into production quickly. Coordination & reforms that made it possible The Ministry of Mines, for facilitating the...
Vedanta Aluminium onboards 7 specially-abled professionals at Jharsuguda, deepens DEI push
India’s largest aluminium producer, Vedanta Aluminium, is taking inclusivity to the next level by welcoming seven specially-abled professionals in its Jharsuguda mega aluminium plant. With this, the firm achieves another milestone towards diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Not only this, but also the firm opens its dedication towards creating meaningful job opportunities while upholding the values of equal opportunity, accessibility and workplace dignity. The seven newly joined professionals facing various motor, visual, and speech-related challenges were handed the offer letters by Kiran Bedi, the renowned civil servant and the former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. The handing out of offers took place during Bedi’s visit to the operations at Jharsuguda, the largest aluminium...
LME aluminium surges to $3,492/t from the previous day’s dip following Iran’s attack on EGA and Alba
On Friday, March 27, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price declined, but the December 27 contracts, after easing, adapted the rising trend. The LME inventory also widened from the previous close. However, considering the price update on March 30, the LME aluminium price rose significantly after Iran attached two production sites in the Middle East. The LME cash bid expanded by USD 41.5 per tonne or 1.3 per cent, declining from USD 3,331.5 per tonne to USD 3,290 per tonne. The cash offer also decreased by USD 40 per tonne or 1.2 per cent from USD 3,332 per tonne to USD 3,292 per tonne. The 3-month bid and offer, at the same time, inched down by USD 31 per tonne or 1 per cent, where the bid closed at USD 3,240 per tonne, down from USD 3,271 per tonne and the final offer at USD...
Bauxite surge, freight strain and premium spikes signal aluminium market shift
The global aluminium value chain is going through some significant changes. With shifting trade patterns, increasing geopolitical tensions, innovations driven by sustainability and rising cost pressures, the market fundamentals are being redefined. The industry is facing a tricky mix of opportunities and uncertainties, from realignments in bauxite supply and freight fluctuations to spikes in premiums and strategic capacity adjustments. All of this could have a big impact on supply, pricing, and investment trends in the near future. Global bauxite shipments increased by 16 per cent in comparison to the same period last year during the first 11 weeks of 2026. The reason behind this is the rising demand from China for supplies from Guinea, which further cements China's leading role in...
Nanshan Aluminium sharpens governance with nomination committee framework
The producer of high-quality metallurgical-grade alumina, Nanshan Aluminium International Holdings Limited, announced its formally adopted terms of reference. The board-level committee responsible for overseeing the nomination of directors and senior management will be the Nomination Committee. In March 2025, the committee was set up, where the members are appointed by the Board and must include three directors, with the majority being independent non-executive directors. Either a board chairman or an independent non-executive director will be the committee’s chairman, who will again be appointed by the board. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics The Company Secretary will be leading as the secretary for the Nomination Committee. However, the...
Rimowa revisits 1969 design language with Classic Aluminium Grid release
Boosting a legacy that stretches back 127 years? Well, it has been rightly done by the luggage brand, Rimowa, aligning rich history with smart strategies. By tapping into the design roots and aluminium craftsmanship, the Classic Aluminium Grid has been reintroduced by the firm in the market. This marks the right blend between the firm’s historical identity and that of the modern-day appeal. A limited-edition release, the firm has unveiled the Classic Aluminium Grid, making people turn their heads, especially for the design enthusiasts and the premium shoppers alike. Just because it is not another newly introduced product in the market, people are buzzing because it upholds the past and blends with modern thoughts. Created back in 1969, a hand-carry case marked the design inspiration for...
NSW under pressure to secure Tomago aluminium smelter backing amid job and green aluminium risks
The NSW Government has been called upon by the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) to conclude the financial support with consideration of the Tomago aluminium smelter. The union warned that any hold-ups could jeopardise jobs and weaken Australia’s industrial strength. Within the recently released news, the union highlighted that the firm's smelter is one of the largest single employers in the Hunter Valley energy precinct. Further emphasis was made on the local businesses, supply chains and communities that rely heavily on the assurance of its ongoing operation. Moreover, they also indicated that backing the smelter does not mean only saving jobs, but also ensuring that Australia can process bauxite into aluminium domestically, instead of exporting raw materials and bringing in finished...
LME aluminium price climbs to $3,294.5/t, despite backward curve pressure
After two days of declining price trend, on March 24, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price rose significantly. However, the longer-dated contracts were deduced from the previous season. The LME alumina platts price also rose from the last day. Both the LME cash bid and offer rose by USD 52 per tonne or 2 per cent, where the bid shifted from USD 3,242 per tonne to USD 3,294 per tonne. Similarly, the offer moved from USD 3,242.5 per tonne to USD 3,294.5 per tonne. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics The LME 3-month bid expanded by USD 28 per tonne or 1 per cent, changing from USD 3,217 per tonne to USD 3,245 per tonne. A similar trend is seen in the 3-month offer price, which gained by USD 29 per tonne or 1 per cent, from USD 3,218 per...
Ireland’s Aughinish plant linked to Russia-bound alumina trade scrutiny in the defence sector
The largest alumina producer in Europe is reported to supply the aluminium smelting raw material to the defence industry of Russia. The shipment is said to have started from Ireland's Aughinish plant and is subject to the US and EU sanctions. In the production of military equipment, the need for strong and corrosion-resistant aluminium is vital. Keeping the urgent need in mind, the European Commission, for building up alumina stocks, deemed crucial for the defence sector, has called on the member states. Patrick O’Donovan, the representative for the Limerick constituency in the parliament, claimed, “It supplies Europe with up to 30 per cent of the alumina needed for the continent’s construction, aviation and automotive industries… and is in no way connected to the Russian military...
Banco Aluminium executes inter-se share transfer, subtly reshaping ownership control
29 thousand equity shares in Banco Products (India) Limited, on March 23, 2026, were sold by Banco Aluminium Private Limited. This marks an inter-se transfer between Banco Aluminium and Mr Mehul Kanubhai Patel, the buyer. After acquiring these stocks, the buyer, along with his Persons Acting in Concert (PACs), is deemed to hold 67.88 per cent of the total equity in the target company. Activity involving the share transfer The document highlights a major shift in shareholding concerning the target company, which here is the Banco Products (India) Limited. It confirms the sale of 29 thousand equity shares, each valued at INR 2, with the transaction finalised on March 23, 2026. Undertaking the transaction was done via an off-market inter-se transfer, where Banco Aluminium Private Limited...
Press Metal strengthens on the aluminium upswing and supply disruption fears
While the global aluminium industry is grappling with the impact driven by the ongoing geopolitical tension, one company is silently marking the upswing in the price to its advantage. According to the Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB Research), Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, the world-class aluminium producer, is deemed to yield benefits due to the elevated aluminium price. The firm’s earnings forecasts, as raised by HLIB Research, for the financial years 2026 and 2027, show an increase of 13 per cent and 18.7 per cent, respectively. The increase in the forecasted earnings is owed to the higher aluminium prices assumptions by the London Metal Exchange (LME). Additionally, the higher forecasts are also owed to the revised hedging positions and the stronger Main Japanese Port (MJP)...
Nigeria garners $2.6 billion in Foreign Direct Investment in mining, 2-1/2 years post reforms
Over USD 2.6 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the mining sector has been pooled by Nigeria in the last two and a half years. This has been updated during the Powering Africa Summit in Washington by Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake. As pointed out by Alake, recent inflows, which were a result of reforms, are designed to make the sector more appealing to investors. These included a more robust regulatory framework, digitised licensing and better protection of mineral rights. Moreover, the authorities pushed efforts against illegal mining, leading to over 350 arrests in just one year. He added, “We have successfully de-risked and sanitised the mining environment, making it conducive to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).” Also read: South32 pauses Worsley Alumina...
San Ciprián smelter nears full capacity amid power uncertainty
Recently, the investors informed that Alcoa’s San Ciprián smelter has ramped up to 90 per cent of its capacity. The smelter, located in Spain, by mid-year, especially after experiencing some earlier cutbacks, is expecting to reach its full capacity. Back in 2021, the smelter's production was reduced due to rising power costs and a nationwide power outage in Spain last April, which further complicated operations at the nearby smelter and refinery as well. Before this reduction, the facility boasted a production capacity of 228 thousand tonnes per year. Also read: Alcoa reports higher orders following Middle East aluminium disruptions Alcoa's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Molly Beerman, stated, "We've got a great workforce, a really knowledgeable team there. The...
LME aluminium cash offer drops to $3,251.5/t amid rising market volatility
Given the volatility rising due to the Middle East crisis and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices seem to be high one day but again trembling on the other. March 23 saw such a time, where the LME aluminium prices, including the longer-dated contracts, fell from the previous day’s close. On March 23, both the LME cash bid and offer dipped by USD 77.5 per tonne or 2.3 per cent, where the bid reached USD 3,251 per tonne from USD 3,328.5 per tonne and the offer to USD 3,251.5 per tonne from USD 3,329 per tonne. In his LinkedIn Newsletter, Jorge Eduardo Dyszel, London Metal Exchange trainer and risk management consultant, explained aluminium prices declined rapidly in a vertical move , amplified by margin calls and thin liquidity,...
Operations restart at Metro Mining’s Bauxite Hills after Narelle impact
Many mining companies, including Metro Mining, an Australian mining and exploration company, due to Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which hit Cape York, North Queensland, have stopped their operations. However, on Friday, March 20, the firm released a new update regarding its operations. On March 17, the firm, ahead of the cyclone approaching, implemented its cyclone management plan. Also read: Cyclone Narelle disrupts Rio Tinto’s bauxite mines, shares fall 4% On March 19, the plan included effective equipment sourcing and taking the marine assets to safe moorings, which were being completed by MMI and the contractors present on-site. Following this, on March 20, the firm with SmartLynx (East Air) and Torres Strait Air, the charter flight partners, the marine team and the site were moved to the...
The Union Coal and Mines Minister of India is to launch the 7th critical mineral auction tranche to boost mineral access
As per a recently released statement, the 7th Tranche of Auction of the Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks will be launched by the Union Coal and Mines Minister G Krishan Reddy on Monday. To date, 6 tranches of auctions have been conducted by the Ministry of Mines, where 46 critical and strategic mineral blocks were successfully auctioned. This marks the country’s robust participation in the industry and a growing confidence in the mineral sector. Why are leaders focused on critical minerals? Concerning the country’s economic growth and ensuring mineral security, the critical minerals are deemed to be highly vital. This is more so because the world is shifting towards clean energy and cutting-edge technologies, raising the demand for minerals like lithium, graphite, rare earth elements...
Vedanta Aluminium cuts 50% CO₂ at Kodingamali bauxite mines with EV loader shift
India's largest aluminium producer, Vedanta Aluminium, unlocked a new milestone concerning its decarbonisation efforts at the Kodingamali bauxite mines. This has been achieved by introducing electric vehicle (EV) loaders, aiding in cutting CO₂ emissions from loading operations by 50 per cent. Currently, the firm is actively shifting nearly half of its loading fleets to electric from diesel, which embeds the initiative high towards its journey for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The operations at the Singaram Siding mainly relied on six diesel loaders. After the introduction of the 3:3diesel-to-EV setup, the firm is cutting down carbon emissions by almost 120 kg per hour. This strategy contributes directly to cleaner and more efficient mining practices in the region....
