Mount Ridley Mines has reported 94.9 per cent gallium recovery from a third-party bauxite sample using its patent-pending Selectro process, alongside recoveries of 92 per cent aluminium and 97 per cent iron in a single low-temperature leach. The test also produced a silica-rich residue instead of conventional red mud, highlighting the technology’s potential to recover multiple metals from bauxite through one processing route. The sample was provided by Australian Silica Quartz Group from its Darling Range bauxite project in Western Australia. It comprised material collected from 16 vacuum drill samples across four holes at the Athena and Ceres prospects. Containing 80 parts per million of gallium, the sample yielded an extraction rate of 94.9 per cent into solution. Mount Ridley said this...
Global bauxite flows are expected to weaken in the fourth quarter of 2026 as China’s front-loading eases and Guinea’s export restrictions begin to constrain shipments . Despite a 2.8 per cent year-on-year rise in global flows in September, softer import requirements in India and the Arabian Gulf could limit demand, leaving China as the principal destination for seaborne bauxite but with little room for further growth. September flows hint at diverging regional trends Global bauxite flows reached 20.4 million tonnes in September 2026, up 2.8 per cent year-on-year, backed by higher shipments from Guinea. Month-on-month flows declined, in line with seasonal wet-weather conditions that typically restrict port movements. Guinea’s shipments to the market were more than 20 per cent higher than...
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On March 27, 2026, the US Treasury's OFAC lifted sanctions on Venezuela's minerals sector, comprising bauxite, coltan, gold, diamonds, and other rare earths, enabling US firms to pursue contracts, also with state-owned Minerven, post the capture of Nicolás Maduro. At present, the nation is eyeing to strengthen ties with the interim leader Delcy Rodríguez to have better access to the Venezuelan critical mineral industry, bauxite in particular, for extracting gallium and scandium. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The Venezuelan bauxite scenario Venezuela holds substantial bauxite resources , estimated at 3.48 billion tonnes , with a reserve of 1.33 billion tonnes and a resource base of 2.15 billion...
Guinea and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have finalised an agreement that could prevent an arbitration post the seizure of the miner’s local unit in 2025. The development is a marker toward resolving tensions that have disrupted bauxite supply flows from Guinea. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The disruption dates back to October, when Guinea assumed charge of EGA’s local subsidiary, Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), amid ongoing disagreements over plans for an alumina refinery. Consequently, the government transferred the assets to state-owned Nimba Mining, and also explored options to continue supplying bauxite to EGA. Bauxite offtake arrangements involving traders and alternative buyers have...
A USD 2 billion funding deal has been announced to support the Boyne aluminium smelter in Queensland. The deal is expected to secure jobs in Weipa, where Rio Tinto’s bauxite operations supply raw materials to the smelter. The investment involves the Australian government, the Queensland government and Rio Tinto. It aims to keep the smelter operating, support jobs and improve the state’s energy system. The Boyne smelter, located near Gladstone, is one of Australia’s largest aluminium plants. It is expected to continue operating until at least 2040. The funding will be provided over a period of 10 years. The deal is also part of the national “Future Made in Australia” plan. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026...
The Guinea-China bauxite corridor has long powered global aluminium supply chains. However, this high-volume trade now appears to be entering a more fragile phase, as rising freight costs, shifting trade flows, and emerging policy signals from Guinea begin to test the resilience of one of the world’s most critical bulk routes, according to shipbroker Intermodal. Guinea exported about 183 million tonnes of bauxite in 2025, up 25 per cent year-on-year, with most of the material shipped to China. On the demand side, China’s aluminium output remains close to its effective ceiling of around 45 million tonnes per year, keeping it dependent on imported feedstock. China’s bauxite imports have exceeded 200 million tonnes, reflecting the scale of the trade and its role in supporting Capesize vessel...
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...
Trade disruption resulting from the Middle East conflict has led to the diversion of approximately 1.2 million tonnes of bauxite shipments from Guinea to India. Amid supply constraints and tightened trade, the bauxite supply originally bound for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would offer a short-term boost to India’s alumina industry. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Trade disruption reshapes bauxite flows The Middle East Gulf region, particularly the UAE, has emerged as a preferred destination for shipping bauxite due to its cost-efficient energy base for alumina refining. Originally destined for the UAE, nine vessels have been rerouted to Indian ports such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram and Kandla...
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....
Rio Tinto has temporarily shut its Amrun and Andoom bauxite mines in Queensland after Cyclone Narelle hit northeast Australia. These two mines produce about 30 million tonnes of bauxite each year, which is used to make aluminium. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The company said it has activated its cyclone response plans. It stated that the priority is the safety of workers and the protection of site operations. Rio Tinto added, “We will continue to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary precautions.” Cyclone Narelle brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and power outages across parts of northeast Australia. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors and prepare for possible damage....
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) reported that in the first 11 weeks of 2026, global bauxite shipments increased by 16 per cent year-on-year. The growth was mainly because of demand from China for supplies from Guinea. Guinea accounted for 79 per cent of total shipments, while shipments from other countries declined by 3 per cent. China received about 88 per cent of global bauxite shipments as one of the largest aluminium producers contributing 65 per cent of global output. Bauxite is used to produce alumina, which is then used in aluminium production. Filipe Gouveia, shipping analyst manager at BIMCO, said, “Bauxite has been one of the fastest growing dry bulk commodities, growing 10 per cent on average between 2021 and 2025.” For the global aluminium value-chain 2026...
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 Guinea, the world’s largest bauxite exporter, is considering measures to regulate production and exports in a bid to stabilise falling prices of the key aluminium raw material. The move comes as bauxite prices have nearly halved since early 2025, despite Guinea’s exports rising by over 25 per cent year-on-year to 183 million tonnes in 2024. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Policy aimed at curbing price decline Bouna Sylla, Minister of Mines and Geology, stated that the government is engaging with mining companies to limit output in line with approved plans. Elaborating on the objective, he said, “This policy aims to regulate bauxite production to prevent price declines, thereby...
Glencore Chief Executive Officer Gary Nagle expects the recent rise in coal prices to revive merger discussions with Rio Tinto. Earlier this year, the two companies talked about creating a USD 240 billion mining group. The deal would have combined Glencore’s trading business and copper assets with Rio Tinto’s large-scale mining operations. They aimed to form the world’s largest mining company and strengthen supply for the growing demand for copper. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Negotiations ended in February, and the companies failed to agree on valuation. Under UK takeover rules, Rio Tinto cannot resume formal talks for six months. Simon Trott, CEO of Rio Tinto said, “Ultimately we formed the view...
At the Panchpatmali Bauxite Mines, part of the National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), nestled within the Mines and Refinery (M&R) Complex in Koraput, Odisha, a field inspection was conducted. This was conducted by Shri M. R. Prasad, a scientist from the Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in Bhubaneswar. Conducting the field inspection was completely aimed at taking a clearer look at key operational areas and the environmental management practices in place at the mining site. Moreover, while on the visit, a thorough assessment of the mining operations was conducted to ensure they align with environmental regulations and legal requirements. Also read: Middle East disturbed: 350 dry bulk vessels restricted, 9% of global aluminium at risk &...
The global economy is staring at a supply shock triggered by a waterway barely 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. The Strait of Hormuz, sitting between Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, has become the most dangerous chokepoint in global trade since the beginning of March. The waterway handles roughly 20 per cent of global seaborne oil flows, but its role in the aluminium value chain is increasingly critical. The Middle East now hosts around 7 million tonnes of aluminium smelting capacity, equivalent to about 9 per cent of global supply. When shipping through Hormuz slows, it affects two directions simultaneously: Raw materials moving into Gulf smelters Finished aluminium moving out to global buyers In the past two weeks, vessel-tracking platforms and maritime insurers have...
US imports of bauxite slowed noticeably in 2025 after a relatively steady climb in the previous year. By the third quarter of 2025, inbound shipments stood at 403,000 tonnes. That figure was 27 per cent lower than the 553,000 tonnes imported in the same quarter of 2024 and 38 per cent below the third quarter of 2023. The contrast becomes clearer when looking at the January-September period. During the first nine months of 2024, US imports reached 1.58 million tonnes and over the same stretch of 2025, volumes slipped to 1.25 million tonnes, marking a 20.9 per cent decline. Quarterly movements show how the year unfolded. Imports began at 480,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025. They then dropped sharply in the second quarter to 369,000 tonnes, a fall of 23.1 per cent. A modest rebound...
Canyon Resources, which is listed on the ASX, shared that at its Minim Martap bauxite project site in Cameroon, a surface miner has been brought. The firm is now planning to start with the mining operations before the end of March. As of now, the firm is aiming to start the first bauxite production in the early second quarter. This announcement shall enable the firm to achieve a milestone by shifting from the development phase to full operations. On March 9, a general meeting was held where the firm announced that its stakeholders had voted against the second tranche private placement of shares to Afriland Bourse & Investissement, which was set at AUD 70 million (USD 50 million) to Eagle Eye Asset Holdings (EEA). Keeping aside the recent development, the firm has confirmed that the...
The financing plan for the Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon faced a setback after shareholders of Canyon Resources rejected part of the company’s capital-raising proposal. The company said that on a special general meeting held on March 9, shareholders rejected the second tranche of a placement. This tranche included an equity raising of about AUD 70 million (USD 50 million) from Afriland Bourse & Investissement and a separate AUD 100 million (USD 71 million) placement for Eagle Eye Asset Holdings. The vote temporarily blocks the plan to open the company’s capital to these investors. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Despite this decision, the company confirmed that the initial phase of the...
Metro Mining has resumed work at its Bauxite Hills mine in Cape York, North Queensland, after finishing maintenance carried out during the wet season shutdown. During the break, crews serviced equipment and inspected key facilities across the site. This included the mining fleet as well as the pontoon and barge loading systems used to move bauxite from the operation. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Mining has now restarted, with early activities focused on pre-stripping, grade control and road upkeep. Some ore is already ready for export. Around 20,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) of bauxite have been placed on barges, while about 150,000 WMT remain in stockpiles at the mine. These stocks will support the...
Rio Tinto, a leading global mining group, holds various projects, aiming to enhance its Amrun bauxite operations in the far north of Queensland. Due to the rising operational improvements at Amrun operations, bauxite production in 2025 saw an increase of 6 per cent, reaching a total of 62.4 million tonnes. The enhancement includes an economic improvement to the crude ore circuit, which not only stabilises the feed but also boosts the overall production by 900 thousand tonnes. Additionally, the firm has also started its Safe Production System across the site to improve operational efficiency and minimise variability. Also read: 2025 Global bauxite production stands at around 480MT - From Weipa to Paragominas, who’s powered the growth? The firm, moreover, is currently in the early stages...
