Bauxite mining needs to be increased in China: Industry experts

On April 20, 2023, a Chinese industry expert advised that China, the largest aluminium producer globally, needs to enhance local bauxite mining to reduce its growing dependency on imported resources.

Meng Jie, a Deputy Secretary General of the aluminium branch at the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA), said, "China's bauxite imports are highly concentrated in Guinea, Australia and Indonesia. We are seeing lower grades of domestic resources and the gradual decline of self-sufficiency."

"Reliance on overseas resources has been on an uptrend, and we expect it to go up further."

Meng's presentation reflected that China's reliance on bauxite imports grew to 55 per cent in 2022 from 2.8 per cent in 2002.

Governments worldwide are concentrating on obtaining critical minerals, particularly those like aluminium, that are required to shift to a lower carbon economy. In addition to acquiring raw materials, they are attempting to command the economic rewards of processing them, a sector in which China has dominated.

According to figures from China's customs, bauxite imports to China increased by 16.8 per cent over the previous year to 125 million tonnes. However, just over half originated from Guinea, 27 per cent from Australia, and 15 per cent from Indonesia.

Meng added, "We must explore with a long-term plan to take advantage of the resources.  China should also set up strategic bauxite reserves and coordinate overseas development."