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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South32's Boddington bauxite mine expansion in Australia, which aims to extend the Worsley alumina refinery's operations for an additional 15 years, has secured support from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), albeit with conditions. The alumina refinery, the second-largest alumina exporter in the state, has been seeking approval to develop new mining areas since 2017. This expansion plan, crucial for tapping into over 200 million tonnes of ore reserves, has faced significant opposition from conservationists. Critics have raised concerns about the potential adverse effects on endangered wildlife within the Northern Jarrah Forest. The EPA has now recommended the project's approval to Environment Minister Reece Whitby. However, the endorsement is subject to appeal and comes with...
Singapore-based Winning International Group, a renowned Chinese Capesize specialist, is set to enhance its seaborne trade from West Africa to China with a significant new order. The company has commissioned six very large ore carriers (VLOCs) at an estimated total cost of nearly $700 million, a substantial investment that underscores their commitment to the industry. This new order follows Winning's previous acquisition of two VLOCs from CSSC's Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding yard last September. The latest sextet has been ordered from Hengli Heavy Industry, with industry insiders indicating that deliveries will commence in the second half of 2027. Each vessel is priced at approximately $116 million. Winning owns and operates one of Singapore's largest bulk carrier fleets, with almost 100...
Metro Mining Limited has announced a new shipment record for the second quarter of the calendar year, reaching 1.42 million WMT (wet metric tonnes). This represents a 12 per cent increase compared to Q2 2023. Year to date, the total shipments stand at 1.50 million WMT. Additionally, Q2 2024 has marked the successful commissioning phase of the company's new 7 million WMT per annum expansion project. Metro Mining is an independent bauxite producer and explorer. Its 100 per cent-owned Bauxite Hills Mine operates on the Weipa bauxite plateau approximately 95 kilometres north of Weipa, near the coast on the Skardon River. Metro Mining produces high-alumina bauxite and ships it to customers in large ore carriers. The final components of the expansion entered operation during the quarter. OFT...
Capesize rates have recently surged past the $30,000 a day mark, largely driven by record-breaking bauxite shipments from West Africa to China. Bauxite, the primary source of aluminium, is a significant minor bulk commodity typically transported on Capesize vessels. According to the US Geological Survey, Guinea holds the largest bauxite reserves in the world. In the second quarter of this year, Greek broker Intermodal reported an "unprecedented surge" in bauxite exports from Guinea, reaching a new record, with the majority of these exports destined for China. China, a key player in the global market, has set a record in primary aluminium production. The significant growth in the first five months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, has led to a surge in demand for bauxite and...
On June 15th, over 30 employees from the SMB-Winning Consortium in Guinea embarked on an extensive study and exchange program at China Hongqiao Group. The visit began with a heartfelt welcome from Guo Cuihua, the Director of Human Resources at China Hongqiao. She warmly conveyed the significance of the delegation's presence, likening it to a homecoming. Guo emphasised the robust partnership between the two organisations and expressed optimism about the potential for increased collaboration and mutual development. SMB Winning Consortium is an alliance of four global partners led by Singapore’s Winning International Group. It comprises the Hongqiao Group under China’s Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, Guinea’s UMS, and China’s Yantai Port Group. The HR Director encouraged the Guinean...
CSI Mining Services, a Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes) subsidiary, has initiated the transport of bauxite ore for Rio Tinto's Weipa operations in northern Queensland. Recognised as a leader in pit-to-ship solutions, CSI Mining Services specialises in innovative crushing, screening, and processing operations for both MinRes and Tier 1 mining clients. In April, CSI secured a contract to provide haulage services for a Tier 1 mining company, with operations commencing the following month. Now, the company has begun transporting bauxite from Rio Tinto's Weipa operations, which include three bauxite mines , processing facilities, shiploaders, an export wharf, two ports, power stations, a rail network, and ferry terminals. CSI operates eight Kenworth C509 quad road trains to transport...
In a collective decision, the Parliament of Ghana has approved a mining lease for the Ghana Bauxite Company, granting it the rights to mine bauxite in Awaso, located within the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region. This decision came after a comprehensive report was presented by a joint Parliamentary Committee of Mines and Energy and Lands and Forestry on June 26, 2024. The committee's report highlighted the mining lease's strategic importance, emphasising its potential to bolster the nation's economy and create regional job opportunities. The ratification marks a significant step forward in Ghana's efforts to harness its natural resources for sustainable development. The approval of the mining lease has sparked anticipation and optimism among stakeholders in...
Italian authorities are planning to implement a comprehensive package of measures to enhance procurement and reprocessing of critical raw materials, according to a draft decree reviewed by Reuters and reported by Mining.com. This initiative, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration, underscores a strategic shift towards reducing dependency on imports, particularly from countries such as China. Key among the measures is streamlined permitting procedures designed to expedite the release of mining concessions, facilitating greater domestic extraction of essential materials. This policy shift reflects the government's commitment to bolstering local industries and securing a more self-reliant economic future. Italy estimates it can domestically source 16 out of the 34 raw...
The Deputy Premier of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, recently revealed that Sarawak has various valuable minerals estimated to be worth RM1.25 trillion. This discovery highlighted the state's potential to invest substantially in the mining industry and generate considerable economic returns. The high estimated value of these mineral resources positions Sarawak favourably in the global market. Gold, non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE), high-quality silica sand, and bauxite are among the minerals identified. Each of these resources plays a crucial role in various high-demand industries, from technology to construction. Global demand for these minerals clearly indicates the potential for Sarawak's economic growth and development. A report...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, has reportedly signed a mining lease deed with the State Government of Odisha. The mines are located in Pottangi Tehsil, Koraput District, and cover an area of 697.979 hectares. The bauxite mines , with their estimated reserves of 111 million tonnes and a mine life of 32 years, are a testament to NALCO's long-term vision and commitment to growth, expected to annually produce 3.5 million tonnes of bauxite. The mines will become operational once the remaining statutory clearances are obtained. The bauxite excavated at the mines will be transported to NALCO's refinery at Damanjodi through an 18.5-kilometre overland conveyor. Through this lease, NALCO secures a steady supply of bauxite for its existing...
Ghana is a significant contender in the global bauxite production arena, boasting an impressive reserve estimated at 900 million tonnes. Yet, this wealth of natural resources still needs to be tapped mainly, missing out on significant economic opportunities. With strategic planning and investment, Ghana has the potential to transform its bauxite industry, catalysing industrial growth, creating jobs, and boosting the national economy. According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ghana has maintained its status as Africa's leading gold producer and the 11th largest producer worldwide, producing four million ounces in 2023. Gold production is anticipated to range between 4.3 million and 4.5 million ounces, driven by increased output from both large and small-scale producers. Large-scale gold...
Ghana plans to implement a new legislative framework to restrict the large-scale export of raw bauxite. Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, made this announcement during the opening ceremony of the 2024 West African Mining and Power Conference and Exhibition (WAMPOC/WAMPEX) in Accra. Minister Jinapor detailed the government's strategic vision for leveraging Ghana's extensive bauxite reserves to foster the development of an integrated aluminium industry. The proposed legislation is part of a broader initiative to maximise the economic benefits of the country's mineral resources, ensuring value addition and job creation within Ghana. “We are in the process of enacting a Legislative Instrument, pursuant to section 28 of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development...
Critical minerals, essential for both economic development and national security, are increasingly at the forefront of policy discussions. These vital resources, whose availability is often concentrated in a few geographical regions, pose significant supply chain risks. The disruption of supplies can have profound implications, from hindering technological advancement to compromising national security. Unlike other commodities, critical minerals lack a universal definition. Each country designates its list of critical minerals based on specific national needs and strategic priorities. This individualised approach underscores the diverse economic and security concerns that drive the global demand for these indispensable resources. Africa possesses 30 per cent of the world's critical...
In a significant development for the global mining industry, Rusal is currently negotiating with the government of Sierra Leone over a potential bauxite mining concession. The discussions, as reported by the RIA state news agency on June 5, 2024, were confirmed by Sierra Leone's mining minister. This move could bolster Sierra Leone's mining sector and strengthen Rusal's position as a potential player in the global bauxite market. Industry analysts eagerly anticipate the outcome of these talks, given the potential economic and strategic implications for both parties involved. Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Sierra Leone, Julius Mattai, at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, said, “We had several meetings during which they (Rusal) showed a lot of interest in opening a...
Ghana, with its vast bauxite reserves, is on the brink of a transformative journey. The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has been established to create an Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI), ready to harness the anticipated growth in the global aluminium sector. GIADEC, in a strong alliance with strategic partners, is committed to developing every aspect of the IAI value chain. This bold initiative requires robust infrastructure to meet increasing demand and seize emerging opportunities. A modern and efficient transportation network, including railways and ports, is crucial for the aluminium industry's global competitiveness. The Transport Working Group has been formed to align infrastructure development with GIADEC's strategic plans. This group includes...
In a startling revelation, Mighty Earth's latest report, "The Impact of the Bauxite Boom on People and the Planet," uncovers the profound environmental and social ramifications of bauxite mining, a critical component in producing aluminium for electric vehicles (EVs). The comprehensive study scrutinises the operations in four major bauxite-producing countries: Indonesia, Brazil, Guinea, and Australia. The findings highlight a stark contrast between EVs' green promise and the harsh realities of their supply chains. The first global analysis of the bauxite boom across four continents examines the negative impacts of bauxite mining—the primary ore used to produce aluminium for electric vehicles. The report details the resulting environmental degradation and health issues local and Indigenous...
The Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has proudly announced a record-breaking performance in May 2024, marking a historic achievement in its 90-year history. This remarkable feat is a testament to the collaborative efforts of VPA and its trading partners. Visakhapatnam Port is one of twelve major working ports in India and the only major port of Andhra Pradesh. By volume of cargo handled, it is India's third-largest state-owned port and the largest on the Eastern Coast. VPA achieved its highest cargo handling volume in May, managing 85,81,927 tonnes of cargo across 221 vessels. This impressive figure surpasses the previous record of 76,22,732 tonnes from 201 vessels in March 2024. A key contributor to this milestone was the discharge of coal and coke in bulk, which reached 22,35,981...
In a landmark advancement to secure vital resources and promote sustainable development, the European Commission announced its 13th trade partnership with Australia. This agreement, signed on May 28, aims to bolster the EU’s access to critical raw materials while fostering growth in Australia’s mineral sector. Key figures, including EU Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis and Thierry Breton, alongside Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell, heralded the agreement as mutually beneficial, emphasising its importance for the European Green Deal and the decarbonisation of transport. The newly forged partnership promotes the EU's strategy to diversify its supply of essential minerals by integrating value chains and promoting sustainable production practices. Australia, a leading producer of...
