Metro Mining Limited shipped 2.1 million wet metric tonnes (WMT) of bauxite in the third quarter of 2026, up 17 per cent from 1.8 million WMT in the previous quarter. However, shipments remained below the 2.25 million WMT recorded in Q3 2025. The Australian bauxite producer reported improved market pricing during the July–September quarter, with its delivered (CIF) price rising by 6.5 per cent to AUD 60.8 (USD 42.79) per WMT from AUD 57.1 (USD 40.18) per WMT in Q2. Site EBITDA increased to AUD 7 (USD 4.93) per WMT from AUD 4.4 (USD 3.10) per WMT. Mining and shipping operations faced maintenance work, equipment issues and channel erosion during the quarter. The company said its offshore floating terminal, Ikamba, underwent a one-week shutdown in July to replace four large hydraulic crane...
Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC) has appointed Ecobank Ghana PLC to arrange up to USD 250 million in financing for its expansion programme, which aims to increase bauxite production and improve mining and logistics infrastructure. The parties signed the agreement in Accra on October 28, 2026. Ecobank will structure the proposed financing and coordinate participation from other banks and financial institutions. The package includes a term loan and a revolving credit facility to cover capital investment and working capital. The funds are expected to support investments in mining equipment, haulage capacity, materials-handling systems and other infrastructure at GBC’s Awaso operations in the Western North Region. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and...
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CHINA'S biggest aluminium maker will go head-to-head with its biggest rivals in a pitch for the $25 billion Aurukun bauxite deposit on Cape York. The Newman Government has released the details of the five shortlisted bidders with the successful venture to be announced by the end of the year. The list includes Aluminium Corporation of China Limited which owned the lease for seven years; Glencore International AG; Cape Alumina Consortium; Rio Tinto Aluminium Ltd; and newcomer Australian Indigenous Resources. Chalco spent a reported $100 million of preparatory work on the 650 million tonne lode until it cancelled the $3 billion deal in 2011 citing the previous Queensland government requirement of building of a refinery as unviable. In Cairns on Tuesday, Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the...
The human rights group, Amnesty International has welcomed the Supreme Court judgement on bauxite mining at Niyamgiri Hills in Odisha’s Kalahandi district. Amnesty said , SC’s ruling that the indigenous (Adivasi) communities will have the final decision on plans for a bauxite mine by a subsidiary of UK-based Vedanta Resources is a land mark victory in recognizing indigenous rights in India. "The Dongria Kondh community, whose identity is fully dependent on these hills, has been fighting for the survival of their way of life for a decade. The mine would have resulted in violation of their rights as indigenous peoples, as well as their rights to water, food, health, work amongst others. This ruling is hugely important for the Dongria Kondh,” said G Ananthapadmanabhan, Chief Executive of...
Cape Alumina and its partners have been short-listed by the Queensland Government to tender for the development of the world-class Aurukun bauxite deposit in western Cape York. The company is working with Singapore-listed Noble Group and Australia’s largest dedicated bulk and general stevedoring operator Qube Holdings. Cape is familiar with Queensland and has a strong relationship with the Traditional Land Owners and Aboriginal people of western Cape York while its partners are internationally recognized leaders in their fields. Aurukun is a significant, undeveloped resource situated to the north, east and south–east of the township of Aurukun on western Cape York Peninsula. It comprises of the Coconut, Double Bang (previously known as Tapplebang), Possum and North Watson resource pods...
The Russian bauxite company – RUSAL – is reportedly expressing frustration at efforts by some elements to “extort” money from them for the use of about 300 acres of land in Hururu village, Berbice River. The company reportedly reached an agreement with the community village council to pay millions for the small area of land to house a crushing plant for its new bauxite mine that will employ hundreds from the communities. Already the company has paid the village in excess of US$1m for use of area for mining of bauxite. The company’s frustration comes as there was a blockage of roads in Aroraima orchestrated by certain community elements to prevent workers from RUSAL from going to the mines. THe Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which representatives brokered the deal in the predominantly...
The Centre and State Governments are adopting dual standards regarding the bauxite mining issue.The illegal approvals given and the agreements made in the past should be cancelled, said the speakers at the two-day Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch conference, which began on Saturday. The meeting also discussed among other things about the Constitutional violations by the government by not implementing the 1/70 Act and other tribal acts, displacement of tribal people in the name of mining, the Draft Bill on Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement, which was detrimental to the interests of tribal rights, provision of basic infrastructure in tribal areas, granting of adequate budget for improvement of medical facilities in tribal areas and provision of remunerative prices to...
The Supreme Court on Thursday linked survival of Vedanta's alumina refinery and bauxite mining project in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts of Odisha with protection of Dongria and Kutia Kondh tribes' culture and right to worship the 'Niyam Raja' deity, a hilltop just 10 km from the mining area. "If the bauxite mining project, in any way, affects their right to worship their deity, known as Niyam Raja, in the hilltop of the Niyamgiri range of hills, that right has to be protected," the court said, creating fresh uncertainties for the multi-crore project. Adding fresh trouble, the court allowed filing of fresh community as well as cultural and religious claims by tribals before the gram sabha within six weeks. "The gram sabha is also free to consider all the community, individual as well as...
Perth-based bauxite explorer and developer, Bauxite Resources Ltd advises that its 70% partner in the Bauxite Alumina Joint Venture, Yankuang Resources Pty Ltd, has been unable to meet a number of cash calls from the BAJV Manager, and as a consequence BRL has determined that it is in the interests of the joint venture to part pay Yankuang's obligations to ensure that the BAJV can continue its operations. Accordingly, today BRL has made a payment of $482,869 to the BAJV. Yankuang has advised that it is experiencing delays in getting funds released through new regulatory channels in China and expects to pay the full amount of the outstanding cash calls in May. BRL is entitled to recover as a debt due from Yankuang any payments it makes in respect of Yankuang's cash calls. Further, BRL is...
Vedanta Aluminium bosses are pleading with the Odisha State Government to get the bauxite flowing so that it can re-open its Lanjigarh alumina refinery, after a delegation from the Kalahandi and Rayagada districts told the Kalahandi collector and district magistrate that the plant should resume operations immediately. In early December 2012, the plant closed due to a lack of bauxite and despite offering top dollar to its rivals, Vedanta has been unable to restart the plant. Vedanta president and COO Mukesh Kumar said the plant had been pleading for bauxite for some time. In a letter to Odisha’s Steel & Mines Secretary he insisted that urgent action be taken in line with a Memorandum of Understanding between Vedanta and the Government of Odisha way back in June 2003 and amended in April...
Energy Minister, Phillip Paulwell, is to report to the country on an energy solution to facilitate the reopening of the Alpart and Kirkvine bauxite plants when he speaks in the 2013-2014 Sectoral Debate. For months, the Government has been engaged in negotiations with Russian-based aluminium company, UC Rusal, for the resumption of operations at the facilities, which closed in 2009. Addressing a sitting of the Standing Finance Committee last week, Paulwell said that the high cost of energy had been a major issue affecting the reopening of the plants. He disclosed that UC Rusal is to go ahead with plans to construct coal electricity generating system for its Ewarton plant at a cost of US$100 million. But the energy minister said UC Rusal has indicated that another kind of energy solution...
Guangxi’s Land and Resources Office recently approved three bauxite prospecting projects in its jurisdiction: trihydrate bauxite in Dingdun Village, Long’an County (general survey), bauxite in Maling Township, Hengxian County (detailed survey), and bauxite in Changzhai Village, Hengxian County (detailed survey), covering a total area of 193 km2. Guangxi is China’s major alumina producing region as well as bauxite-rich province, where16 million mt of bauxite is needed each year to meet demand from 8 million mt/yr alumina capacity. Guangxi’s mineral prospecting department will continue to step up exploitation of local bauxite to ensure stable alumina supply for local producers. Back in September 2012, Guangxi’s Land and Resources Office also gave the green light to general survey of bauxite...
Vedanta Aluminium Limited has once again requested the State Government to ensure bauxite supply to its Lanjigarh facilities in Kalahandi district which has been shut down due to non-availability of raw materials. “You are aware that the closure of refinery since December 5, 2012 has impacted the overall economy of the region as thousands of people have become jobless,” president and Chief Operating Officer of VAL Mukesh Kumar said in a recent letter to the Steel and Mines Secretary. Requesting for supply of bauxite to the refinery, Kumar reminded the agreement between VAL and the State Government on June 7, 2003 and the amendment made to the MoU on April 4, 2007 for raw material linkage to the facility. The company, which has been persistently pleading with the State Government to make...
Guinea, the world’s biggest exporter of bauxite, has cut taxes on exports of the mineral to $4 a metric ton from as much as $13 a ton, according to amendments made to the country’s mining code. “We’re putting in place a more flexible tax system to encourage win-win investments,” Mines Minister Mohamed Lamine Fofana said in an e-mailed statement today. Lawmakers approved the new policies on April 8 in Conakry, the capital. Rio Tinto Group and Vale SA operate in the West African nation, which also has reserves of gold and iron ore. Guinea is recovering from a coup that saw the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund sever ties until 2010 presidential elections. A previous version of the code, adopted in 2011, was withdrawn amid concern about the tax rate, said Djiby Diaby, spokesman...
A Government monitoring team that visited the bauxite mine in Bua last week has noted improvements in the state of the site. Divisional environment officer North Senimili Nakora said the visit was part of the monthly visit and meeting with the bauxite team. "The visit was to facilitate the monthly meeting by the monitoring committees in Nawailevu. The meeting was a fruitful one as we discussed certain issues with the company," Ms Nakora said. "Overall the company has improved in terms of improving management practices to minimise impact on the environment. "An example is the rehabilitation of the cut area where vegetables and Koronivia grass have been planted." She said the committee noted better house keeping practices. This, Ms Nakora said, ensured proper management of waste. "The...
Rio Tinto Alcan expects construction of its $1.3 billion bauxite mine expansion near Weipa to start this year. The company has delivered its final environment impact statement to the Federal Government and is hopeful of approval of South of Embley for a construction start before the wet season begins in November. Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has 40 working days to assess the EIS, which gives him until May 17. The company then needs to get board approval to proceed. While Rio Tinto Alcan is not commenting on the EIS, the report says "it is anticipated that construction would commence in or about 2013 subject to the grant of relevant environmental or other regulatory approvals and the determination of internal investment approvals for the project by Rio Tinto." "Project-related...
The global bauxite mining industry is forecasted to reach $10.6 billion by 2018. The industry is consolidated with the top 10 players dominating the market. Competitive rivalry is high with a low threat of entry from new players and high exit barriers in bauxite mining industry. Players use advanced technology for the mining of ore, which is beneficial for increasing productivity. Lucintel, a leading global management consulting and business research firm, has conducted a competitive analysis on the industry and presents its findings in “Global Bauxite Mining Industry 2013-2018: Trend, Profit, and Forecast Analysis.” Several aspects such as governmental regulations and growth in related complementary industries, general economic environment, fluctuations in input prices, and the...
Perth-based bauxite explorer and developer, Bauxite Resources Ltd is pleased to provide an update on bauxite exploration activities in its northern Darling Range tenement area, Western Australia. An exploration drilling campaign has been completed on the Company's Fortuna prospect, located on private farmland near the regional town of Wundowie, Western Australia, with the aim of identifying additional bauxite resources. This work was carried out on exploration tenement E70/2230 to which BRL retains 100% bauxite rights. The project area lies adjacent to the 73.3Mt Felicitas bauxite resource to which BRL retains 30% beneficial interest. The drilling area has excellent road access to Perth, existing heavy rail approximately 15km to the north and Kwinana Port approximately 120km from the...
Production at a proposed new bauxite mine in the state's North could start midway through next year, creating up to 45 jobs. A Chinese company has invested in two projects, the other being based in at Goulburn South, in southern New South Wales. Australian Bauxite Limited and Chinese aluminium company Xinfa Group have commenced negotiations in relation to the projects. ABx chief executive Ian Levy said the company would fill the workforce, expected to be between 35 and 45, with Tasmanian employees. "We will completely source (the workforce) locally," he said. "Tasmania has the best (mining) workforce in Australia so why would we go anywhere else?" The project is subject to relevant approvals, and a mining lease application for the project, which will be ABx's first in Tasmania, is well...
The Wilderness Society says it could support a proposed bauxite mine on western Cape York in far north Queensland if it was significantly scaled back. Rio Tinto Alcan has released a final environmental impact statement for its proposed South of Embley project at Weipa. Wilderness Society spokesman Gavan McFadzean says the current proposal involves clearing tens of thousands of hectares of savanna, dredging two ports and increasing shipping movements in the Great Barrier Reef. "We would also like to see Rio improve markedly on its regeneration of areas already affected by bauxite mining," he said. "Its current bauxite operations have very high failure rates in regeneration of the natural habitat after mining. "Until it gets that right we should err on the side of caution and not be...
