International Responsible Business Conduct (IRBC) has completed a project examining aluminium and bauxite supply chains to improve transparency and traceability in materials supporting the renewable energy transition. The project brought together wind energy company Siemens Gamesa, Dutch cable manufacturer TKF, Digital Product Passport (DPP) technology provider Minespider, and project partner Responsible Trade. The initiative mapped selected upstream aluminium and bauxite supply chains and tested secure DPPs to organise and present traceability and sustainability information across multiple supplier tiers. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price...
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...
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The Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC) has dismissed recent reports suggesting irregularities in its acquisition by Ofori-Poku Company Limited (OPCL), describing them as misleading and inaccurate. Image credit: GBC In an official statement released on March 17, GBC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, ethical business conduct, and regulatory compliance. The company sought to clarify misconceptions surrounding the transaction and reassure stakeholders of its integrity. Providing historical context, GBC explained that in 2010, when global mining giant Rio Tinto divested its 80 per cent stake in the company, the Government of Ghana—then holding the remaining 20 per cent—chose not to exercise its option to purchase the majority shares. This decision opened the door for BOSAI Minerals...
The Australian mining and exploration company Metro Mining is gearing up to commence its 2025 production and shipping operations at the Bauxite Hills Mine and Marine Divisions in Queensland, with mobilisation to the site now underway. Source: Metro Mining The company has set an ambitious target for the year, planning to ship between 6.5 and 7 million WMT of bauxite—building on its strong performance in 2024, when it recorded 5.7 million WMT, marking a notable 24 per cent increase over the previous year. With a market capitalisation of $328.9 million, Metro is aiming to load its first vessel of the year by March 17, 2025. This early start has been made possible thanks to the company’s continued investment in operational efficiency, equipment upgrades, and the completion of its...
Jamalco, Jamaica’s premier bauxite mining and alumina refining enterprise, has unveiled a whopping investment of USD 70.5 million (JMD 11 billion) aimed at prolonging the operational life of its mining activities by tapping into additional bauxite reserves in Manchester. Image for representational purposes only The earmarked capital expenditure is slated for mine development and the installation of advanced equipment over a three-year span, from 2025 to 2027. This initiative is integral to Jamalco’s ‘Project Restore’, which seeks to enhance the refinery’s feed and ensure a consistent bauxite supply. Jamalco’s history of resource management relies on grade control sampling and the avoidance large reserve inventories. It utilises auger drilling for exploration, with assays or testing of the...
The Court of Appeal on March 17, 2025, upheld the forfeiture of RM44,000 (approx. USD10,000) in cash belonging to Syed Umar Khalil Syed Khalid, an assistant director of enforcement at the Pahang Land and Mines Department. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) seized the money a decade ago and discovered it hidden inside a washing machine at Syed Umar Khalil’s residence. Image Credit: New Straits Times A three-judge panel, chaired by Datuk Azman Abdullah, affirmed the forfeiture order, which had previously been granted by both the Sessions Court and the Pahang High Court. Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah stated, "This court found that there is no merit in the defence's appeal. This follows the defence's bare assertion, which failed to rebut the prosecution's case. The appellant was...
This week has been highly eventful for the upstream aluminium industry, both for the bauxite and the primary aluminium sector. To begin with, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah announced that the country will restore constitutional rule in 2025, according to global media reports. He added that legislative and presidential elections are scheduled to follow a constitutional referendum within a reasonable timeframe. Indonesia has launched a new sovereign wealth fund, Daya 'Anagata Nusantara' (Danantara), with an initial commitment of US$20 billion. A major global aluminium producer has requested a premium of USD 260 per tonne from Japanese buyers for primary metal shipments in April–June (Q2), marking a 14 per cent increase from the current quarter (Q1, 2025). To know more about what...
Tensions ran high on Thursday as a public hearing for the proposed Balada bauxite mining project in Nandapur block witnessed strong opposition from local villagers. The meeting, orchestrated by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) in line with Ministry of Forest and Environment guidelines, aimed to gather feedback on the environmental impact of the project. But, the villagers’ message was loud and clear: No to mining. Image for referential purposes only The hearing, which was presided over by Additional District Magistrate Alomani Sethi and OSPCB Regional Officer Dipesh Biswal, drew participation from residents of five panchayats — Balda, Bheja, Kulwbir, Atanda, and Badel, representing 30 villages. However, the crowd was less interested in negotiations and more focused on...
Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) is striving to become a leading contributor to the country's economic development under the leadership of its newly appointed acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah. Image source: LinkedIn (GIADEC) Mr Twumasi Ankrah, GIADEC's new CEO and a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience across multiple legal domains, is prepared to embrace a new challenge to add further value to the work of his predecessor and position GIADEC as a leading force for national advancement by supporting and advancing the indigenous aluminium value chain – the vision with which an act of Parliament established GIADEC. Mr Ankrah addressed the staff durbar this week, meant to welcome the new CEO of the Corporation, by sharing...
Minim Martap Bauxite Project-owned Canyon Resources Limited has announced that the Board of CAMRAIL SA has approved Total Energies Marketing Cameroun SA and Société d’Exploitation des Bois du Cameroun, to enter into two share sale agreements with its wholly owned subsidiary, Camalco Cameroon SA. Upon completing the transactions, Camalco will acquire a strategic 9.1 per cent stake in CAMRAIL and secure a position on its Board. Camalco has successfully acquired a 3.8 per cent equity stake in Camrail from SEBC for an upfront cash payment of XAF 575,700,000 (approximately A$1.4 million). This unconditional acquisition was completed on February 28, 2025. Additionally, Camalco is set to acquire a further 5.3 per cent equity stake in Camrail from Total Cameroon for XAF 812,850,000 (approximately...
The West African nation and the world's largest producer of bauxite, Guinea, has been under military rule since September 2021, when Colonel Mamady Doumbouya led a coup against President Alpha Condé, citing widespread corruption, human rights violations, and economic mismanagement. According to global media reports, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah announced that the country will return to constitutional rule in 2025. He further stated that a constitutional referendum is planned, followed by legislative and presidential elections within a reasonable timeframe. Guinea's former president, Alpha Condé, had a long and tumultuous reign that ultimately paved the way for the 2021 coup, aimed at restoring stability in the nation, which stands as Africa's largest producer of bauxite. Elected...
The state government of Kerala, India, has begun the process of auctioning bauxite blocks in Kasaragod, according to Industries Principal Secretary A P M Mohammed Hanish. On the occasion of the GSI's foundation day celebrations, he commended the agency for identifying bauxite reserves in the district, emphasising that this discovery presents significant opportunities for the state at this time. At the event, Hanish hailed the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as an “unsung hero” for its invaluable contributions to geological research. As part of the occasion, two books—Kerala’s Geological Sentinel: Glimpses of Geological Survey of India and Reminiscences: Echoes from Office Desk to Field Adventures—were released, along with the magazine Bhoumakairali. The event also featured a technical...
Indonesia has introduced a new sovereign wealth fund, Daya ‘Anagata Nusantara or Danantara’, with an initial commitment of US$20 billion. President Prabowo Subianto launched it last week. Danantara aims to serve as both an investment vehicle and a holding company for the country’s influential state-owned enterprises. While it has the potential to boost Indonesia’s economy significantly, its success will depend on effective management and adherence to international standards. Danantara will allocate $20 billion in its first investment round to more than 20 projects spanning bauxite, nickel, copper processing, artificial intelligence development, oil refineries, renewable energy, and food production. The president made the announcement before an audience of hundreds, including foreign...
The Australian mining and exploration company Metro Mining announced its 2024 annual results, highlighting the successful commissioning of the Ikamba Offshore Floating Terminal (OFT) and port infrastructure upgrades. Following the commissioning in Q2, the Bauxite Hills Mine achieved a steady operational capacity aligned with the expansion target of 7 million wet metric tonnes (WMT) per annum in the final quarter. This milestone contributed to a total shipped production of 5.7 million WMT for the year, marking a 24 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Metro recorded 30 per cent year-on-year revenue growth, reaching $307 million, driven by record shipments and a strong pricing environment. Site EBITDA margins stood at $13.8 per WMT in Q3 and improved to $17.4 per WMT in Q4,...
The Western Australian government faces mounting pressure to defend its commitment to safeguarding Perth's drinking water following a fresh set of revelations about potential contamination risks linked to Alcoa's mining operations on the city's outskirts. Picture for representational purposes only The US mining giant, long accused of jeopardising water safety, has drawn criticism for failing to adequately restore the Jarrah forest, which it has reportedly cleared at its bauxite mine sites. Over the years, Alcoa's operations have edged close to Serpentine Dam, a critical drinking water source, heightening fears of water quality risks. While there is no evidence that Alcoa's activities have directly impacted Perth's water supply, newly obtained documents are declared to paint a more...
Aluminium remains a cornerstone of the global economy, with the rising demand for green metal highlighting its lasting significance. Despite challenges and periodic disruptions, the push for sustainable aluminium continues to gain momentum. Notable advancements have taken place in the upstream sector, encompassing bauxite mining, alumina refining, and primary aluminium production. To begin with, METLEN Energy & Metals has signed two long-term strategic agreements with global mining and metals giant Rio Tinto to reinforce its bauxite and alumina supply chain. NALCO's announcement of INR 30,000 crore (USD 3.45 billion) investment in aluminium business expansion, revealed by Union Minister of Coal & Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi, marks its first major capital expenditure in...
MYTILINEOS Energy & Metals, now known as METLEN Energy & Metals, has entered into two long-term strategic agreements with global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto to strengthen its bauxite and alumina supply chain. Under the first agreement, Rio Tinto will supply METLEN with approximately 14.9 million tonnes of bauxite from the CBG mine in Guinea over an 11-year period, spanning from 2027 to 2037. This bauxite supply will complement METLEN’s existing production from its local mines in Greece, ensuring a stable and diversified raw material source. Under the second agreement, METLEN will supply Rio Tinto with 3.9 million tonnes of alumina from its expanded Agios Nikolaos refinery over an eight-year period, beginning in 2027. The agreement also includes an option for a three-year extension....
Norsk Hydro’s 2024 was challenging, but the business had an overall growth-hinting year. There have been several superlative financial, environmental, and social achievements during the calendar year. Financial performance While there was a drop in adjusted Return on Average Capital Employed (RoaCE) from 22.2 per cent in 2022 to 8.5 per cent in 2024, with an adjusted EBITDA standing at NOK 26.3 billion. Hydro has overseen the pursuit of its profitability target of over 10 per cent across the cycle. The company reported NOK 10.1 billion (USD 907.98 million) in accumulated improvements through its ongoing programme against the 2018 baseline, edging closer to its target of NOK 9.5 billion by 2024. Commercial ambitions also saw NOK 2.6 billion in accumulated improvements, reinforcing Hydro’s...
At the beginning of 2025, primary aluminium and its essential raw materials witnessed some significant developments in key areas like production, value, projects, and trade policies. Additionally, advancements in technology, sustainability initiatives, and geopolitical factors occurred and reshaped the industry's future. The downstream sector has not shied away from some critical progress driven by rising demand and a strong push towards sustainability. Staying informed about these critical updates is important for gaining valuable insights into the current market, anticipating potential market dynamics, adapting strategies, and making well-informed strategic decisions for business growth. So, here's to the top 20 headlines from across the aluminium value chain in January 2025. Updates...
Geely Technology Group, a company affiliated with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, has signed a bauxite supply agreement with Honbridge Holdings, China's automotive-focussed news platform Gasgoo reports. As per the set contract, Honbridge will be procuring bauxite and other relevant products from Geely with an annual purchase cap of up to RMB 300 million by December 31, 2025, and up to RMB 370 million each by December 31, 2026, and December 31, 2027. Tonbridge Holdings, which delved into the lithium-ion battery sector a decade ago in 2014, supplies products to multiple businesses under Geely Holding Group, among other electric vehicle manufacturers. The company has extended into ride-hailing services in France under the "CaoCao" brand, with nearly 300 LEVC TX new energy automotive fleet and...
