Bauxite and alumina projects in China progressing slowly

While China’s economic growth stabilises, the country’s demand for bauxite and fused alumina for refractory applications in steel production continues, and can be viewed as responsible for initiating several new projects in the bauxite-rich provinces of Henan, Guizhou, and Shanxi.

Among these are Zhengzhou Jinyufeng Abrasives Co. Ltd’s new 60,000 tpa white fused alumina plant in Xinmi City, Henan province, which began construction in June. The Chinese Yuan 60m ($9.7m*) investment includes three 5000 kVA fusion furnaces and is expected on stream in June 2014.

Another new white fused alumina plant is to be part of the now-completed Shanxi Xinfa Aluminum Comprehensive Cycle Project in Shanxi province. Total investment is expected to be around Chinese Yuan 80bn ($13bn) which is to include a 1.8m tpa white fused alumina plant.

China’s fused alumina and tabular alumina markets are to be discussed by Bosai Minerals Group and Refmin Co., respectively, at the upcoming IM Roundtable China’s Industrial Minerals & Markets: New Horizons, New Mindsets, 23-25 September 2013, Shanghai.

Bauxite discovery

In Guizhou province, the Chinese Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development has discovered a 100m ton bauxite resource in Zheng’an County, associated with coal deposits. This follows an earlier large bauxite find in Dazhuyuan, Wuchuan County, Guizhou.

The average thickness of the visible deposit is 1.8 metres, and the average grade is is 56% Al₂O₃. This meets raw bauxite specifications for abrasive and chemical-grade bauxite (refractory grade is 59% Al₂O₃), and metallurgical-grade bauxite to make Bayer alumina for smelter grades or feedstock for white fused alumina and other aluminas.

Calcined abrasive grade bauxite is used for manufacturing brown fused alumina and grade bauxite.

Paul Adkins of AZ China Ltd is to present on non-metallurgical bauxite supply and demand in China at the IM Roundtable in Shanghai this September.