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 globally diversified mining and metals company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, South32, anticipates securing state approval for its Worsley Alumina's bauxite mine life extension project from Western Australia later this month, with federal approval expected in early 2025. This resulted from a successful appeal of an earlier decision by the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). While the EPA had recommended the project for approval, it imposed conditions that South32 deemed excessively stringent for managing environmental risks, arguing they would pose substantial operational challenges. South32 owns 86 per cent of Worsley Alumina, with 10 per cent held by Japan Alumina Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd and the remaining 4 per cent held by Sojitz Alumina...
The United States crude and dried bauxite imports continued to increase sequentially in the third quarter of 2024 but could not offset the overall year-to-date downfall. The Q-o-Q growth in Q3 import was primarily driven by Turkey with a significantly increased supply of crude and dried bauxite, even higher than the same period of the previous year. Image Source: LinkedIn According to the US Census Bureau Survey, the United States imported 553,000 tonnes of bauxite, extending the quarter-on-quarter growth. In Q3, the import volume was 26,000 tonnes or 5 per cent higher sequentially, echoing the growth rate seen in the second quarter. In Q2, the United States crude and dried bauxite imports stood at 527,000 tonnes versus 501,000 tonnes in the first quarter. However, annually, the United...
A shipment of Chinese diesel locomotives was spotted at the Zhanghuabang cargo terminal in Shanghai Port on December 10, 2024, ready for dispatch to Conakry, the capital of Guinea. This batch of ten locomotives is specifically designed to handle heavy loads and accommodate various track types, catering to the unique transportation demands of bauxite mining operations. Guinea stands at the top of the list of the world's leading bauxite-producing nations, and the West African nation also holds the record of the world's leading bauxite exporter. China's homegrown brands will further enhance their global presence with the continued shipment of these diesel locomotives from Shanghai Port. Customs clearance at Shanghai's Wusong Port has been adapted to align with the specific characteristics of...
Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysia, clarified during the Minister's 'Question Time' in the ‘Lower House of Parliament, Malaysia, on December 12, 2024, that bauxite mining activities in Bukit Goh, Kuantan, Pahang, have not secured approval for their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. He revealed that the initial EIA report for the project was rejected, and a revised report was submitted to the Department of Environment a few months ago, which is now under review. Responding to Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Member of the House of Representatives of Malaysia, Nik Nazmi said, “Once again, the department received an EIA report for a project proposal titled Proposed Bauxite Mining Operation in Bukit Goh with an area of...
The West African nation Guinea, one of the leading bauxite producers and the world's top bauxite exporter, intends to channel a portion of the revenue generated from mining the world’s largest iron ore reserve into a sovereign wealth fund. According to Planning and International Cooperation Minister Ismael Nabe, who addressed parliament on December 9, 2024, this fund will be utilised to finance critical development initiatives under the government’s Simandou 2040 Program. A sovereign wealth fund is a state-owned investment fund comprised of money generated by the government, often derived from a country's surplus reserves. Ismael Nabe said, "We aim to transform agriculture, education, health and to increase the construction of modern infrastructure, a large-scale railway linking mining...
The ASX-listed company, Arrow Minerals Limited, has published reports on further outstanding assay results from its maiden drilling program at the Niagara Bauxite Project in Guinea. Strategically located approximately 100 km from the multi-user Trans-Guinean Railway, the project offers significant logistical advantages for transportation and development. Arrow Minerals Limited is an exploration and development company focused on delivering long-term shareholder value by discovering economic mineral deposits in West Africa. The discovery of Niagara is rapidly evolving into a substantial resource, demonstrating high-grade potential within the trucking distance of a multi-user railway. Results from 111 drill holes are still pending. The latest assays from 30 holes include: BS000096, 4 metres...
Representing National Democratic Congress (Ghana), Presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama has reportedly assured the residents in Nyinahin, a district in the Ashanti Region, that he would prioritise bauxite mining if elected in the December 7 elections. While addressing the crowd, Mahama outlined a detailed plan to enhance bauxite mining to create local jobs and drive national economic growth. He said, "We will engage with the chiefs regarding the construction of a railway from Takoradi to Nyinahin to facilitate the easy transportation of bauxite. Additionally, we will construct a factory for aluminium production to create more jobs for the youth." "We are committed to the development of our country. The days of supporting a party solely based on lineage are no longer relevant. Let's...
Three critical minerals - gallium, germanium, and antimony - have been banned from being exported to the United States by China in an escalation of trade tensions. The decision, unveiled on December 3, 2024, comes just a day after Washington imposed new restrictions targeting China’s semiconductor sector, signalling an intensifying rivalry between the world’s two largest economies. Gallium is primarily sourced as a byproduct of mining and refining other metals, especially bauxite, although some gallium is also derived from the processing of sphalerite ore for zinc. Germanium largely occurs as a geochemical substitute in various sulfide minerals, primarily in the mineral sphalerite (ZnS), with minor inclusion in silicate minerals. Stibnite (Sb 2 S 3 ) is the predominant ore mineral of...
In conversation with Stockhead, a business news publication dedicated to connecting investors with emerging ASX-listed companies, Lowell Resources Fund's chief investment officer, John Forwood, highlights that the booming bauxite prices are bringing attention back to ASX stocks and how. To his surprise, the unprecedented rise in bauxite and alumina prices has made some of Australia's top fund managers vigilant of these commodities. Image Source: The Australian Aluminium Council In the Chinese market, the world's largest consumer of bauxite and alumina, Guinea bauxite price is currently standing at US$92 per tonne, marking an increase of about 20 per cent since the bauxite export suspension by EGA-owned Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) in early October. Since the beginning of the year, the...
On Monday, November 4, Chinalco and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau signed a framework agreement for cooperation on mineral resources at Guinea-Bissau's Ministry of Natural Resources. The signing ceremony was attended by Yang Renhuo, China's Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau is a tropical country on West Africa’s Atlantic coast that’s known for national parks and wildlife. The signing of this agreement marks a major milestone in the advancement of Guinea-Bissau's mining sector. The Ministry expressed hope that Chinalco will leverage its world-class technical expertise and commitment to environmental protection to achieve efficient and sustainable mineral development, thereby contributing to Guinea-Bissau's economic growth. Signing of the agreement Dong Jianxiong, Deputy General...
The Gumla district administration of Jharkhand, India, has taken swift action, culminating in filing an FIR against the offending mining company on November 28, 2024, reflecting a firm stance against illegal mining practices. The operation was led by the Gumla Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), which involved the Chainpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), the Gumla Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), and the District Mining Officer. Their mission was supported by 40 police personnel and six surveyors tasked with measuring the extent of unauthorised mining. This multi-agency collaboration highlights the government’s commitment to environmental protection and regulatory compliance in the mining sector. Illegal mining depletes valuable resources, disrupts ecological balance, and deprives the...
In a strategic move to solidify its position in the global mining sector, PT Aneka Tambang (Antam), a member of PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero) or MIND ID, a government-owned holding company, has earmarked a significant capital expenditure (Capex) of $723 million (Rp11.46 trillion) over the next five years. The investment will focus on accelerating exploration efforts in gold, bauxite, and nickel, key commodities in Indonesia’s mineral landscape. Antam’s General Manager, Abdul Bari, emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainable growth, noting that Antam will maintain its exploration budget at over 1 per cent of total production income. This prudent strategy ensures that the company remains at the forefront of resource discovery and extraction while balancing its financial...
In a decisive statement on November 27, 2024, the Odisha state government categorically dismissed allegations that it plans to permit bauxite mining in the ecologically sensitive Gandhamardan Hills, spanning Bolangir and Baragarh districts. As published on the website of DrugControl Media Services Odisha's Gandhamardan Hill range, known as the "ayurvedic paradise," has been designated a "biodiversity heritage site." Odisha, an eastern state in India, holds a prominent position in the country's aluminium industry thanks to its vast bauxite reserves. As the largest bauxite-producing state, Odisha contributes nearly 50 per cent of India's total bauxite output. This significant resource base has been instrumental in positioning India as a leading global player in aluminium manufacturing, with...
Tianshan Aluminum Company has actively disclosed updates regarding its investor relations. Following the successful equity acquisition of local mining companies in Guinea, the company is steadily advancing its region's bauxite mining and shipment project. The project has now entered the large-scale mining phase, with products being shipped to China progressively. This development is expected to significantly support the company's alumina production needs and bolster its future raw material self-sufficiency. Tianshan Aluminum's bauxite project Meanwhile, Tianshan Aluminum's bauxite project in Indonesia is under thorough investigation, with efforts underway to fulfil the preconditions for project delivery at the earliest. Preparatory approvals for the first phase of a 1-million-ton alumina...
Aluminium Corporation of China Limited, popularly known as Chinalco, a state-owned multinational company, is likely to invest around $426 million in bauxite mining in Suriname, said the chairman of a Surinamese presidential mining commission on Monday, November 25. If this investment is approved by parliament, Chinalco will begin bauxite mining by the middle of 2025 to produce 6 million tonnes of the key ore of aluminium annually, reported government advisor Daniel Lachman. The Surinamese presidential mining commission also said that Suriname, the South American country, is likely to have a 13 per cent share in the project. Bauxite mining and processing is the major industry that drives the economy in Suriname, with reserves present in the Bakhuis region of western Suriname. The Bakhuis...
Arrow Minerals (ASX: AMD) has affirmed mineralisation, as hypothesised earlier, over a 2-kilometre strike, resulting from its first drilling at the Niagara Bauxite Project in Guinea. Image Source: S Purohit (@subhapurohit) / X Emphasised intersections include 7 metres at 47.1 per cent aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) and 2.9 per cent silica (SiO₂) from the surface and 10 metres at 46.6 per cent Al₂O₃ while 7.9 per cent SiO₂ from the surface. The initial results verified the Niagara discovery and followed up on the drilling of 180 holes that Vale had executed in 2007. Arrow is actively exploring three of the nine bauxite exploration targets it acquired from the previous Vale derivatives. The company is moving forward with development plans at a rapid pace, including initiating discussions with...
Guinea and China celebrated a historic milestone on October 4, 2024, as they commemorated 65 years of the reestablishment of their diplomatic relations. This enduring partnership, a cornerstone in sub-Saharan Africa, has thrived through collaboration in critical sectors such as education, health, energy, infrastructure, and mining. Among these, mining stands out as a transformative force, spurred by the significant influx of Chinese investments over the last two decades. From 2008 to 2017, China's involvement was embodied by major players such as Chalco, China Power Investment (CPI), and the Compagnie de Développement des Mines Internationales (CDM). CDM, a subsidiary of CHICO, a Henan-based Chinese state-owned enterprise, entered the Guinean mining scene in May 2008. In October 2010, it...
On October 25th, under the strategic initiatives of "becoming a maritime power" and "cultivating and developing new quality productivity," Chinalco Academy of Sciences (Future Research Institute), Chinalco Institute of Materials, and Dalian Liaonan Shipyard collaboratively established the Joint Innovation Centre for New Quality Productivity of Ship Equipment (hereafter referred to as the Joint Innovation Centre). Image Source: Wikipedia (Yoshi Canopus - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0) Looking ahead, the Joint Innovation Centre will leverage Dalian Liaonan Shipyard's practical shipbuilding experience and the expertise of the Chinalco Academy of Sciences (Future Research Institute) and Chinalco Institute of Materials in material science. It aims to drive the development of ship equipment...
