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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According to the latest data revealed by the US Geological Survey, the United States crude and dried bauxite imports in the first quarter of 2024 demonstrated a sequential decline, marking the third consecutive quarter of downfall since the third quarter of 2023. However, on an annual basis, the import volume in Q1 recorded an increase. The USGS data showed that the United States imports in Q1 stood at 501,000 tonnes, down 8.74 per cent from 549,000 tonnes in Q4 2023 but up 8.44 per cent from 462,000 tonnes a year ago. The quarter-on-quarter decline in United States bauxite imports has been continuing since the third quarter of 2023 when the import volume slumped by 11.05 per cent from 733,000 tonnes to 652,000 tonnes. Subsequently, the imports further fell in Q4 2023 by 15.8 per cent to...
According to China customs data, the country’s bauxite imports in April 2024 reached a record monthly high of 14.2376 million tonnes, up by 20.02 per cent M-o-M and 18.84 per cent Y-o-Y. In March 2024, China’s bauxite import volume amounted to 11.8628 million tonnes, reflecting an increase of 5.19 per cent M-o-M and a decline of 1.43 per cent Y-o-Y. In April 2024, China’s bauxite imports marked the second consecutive month of increase, following a drop in February to 11.2775 million tonnes from 13.2019 million tonnes in January. Thus, in the past four months, China’s bauxite imports totalled 50.5798 million tonnes, according to China customs data. Guinea topped the list of suppliers, followed by Australia, Turkey, Ghana, and so on. From Guinea, China imported 10.4956 million tonnes of...
Alcoa, a Pittsburgh-based industrial corporation and the global industry leader in bauxite, alumina , and aluminium products, celebrates 59 years of aluminium excellence in Brazil. Alcoa marked 59 years of operation in Brazil on May 14, commemorating the occasion with investments in cutting-edge segments crucial for the energy transition across its operational facilities in Juruti (PA), Alumar (MA), and Poços de Caldas (MG). In pursuit of the Net Zero goal by 2050, the company has infused R$1.3 billion into sustainable projects over the past two years. These investments span various stages of transformation, from bauxite extraction to refining and reduction processes, to phase out fossil fuel usage and mitigate climate change. In Poços de Caldas, Alcoa's first unit in Brazil, the company...
On April 30, 2024, Australia's leading bauxite miner, Metro Mining initiated a trading halt in anticipation of an imminent announcement regarding capital raising. With a market capitalisation of $222.73 million, the company has stated that the halt will persist until May 2, 2024, or until the disclosure is made public. Metro Mining is raising $44 million, with Shaw and Partners serving as the exclusive lead manager and book-runner, as per the Australian Financial Review's (AFR) Street Talk column. According to the AFR, the placement is strategically anticipated to be valued at $0.041 per share, reflecting an 11 per cent markdown from the latest closing trading price and an 8 per cent reduction from the 5-day volume weighted average price. The funds generated will be allocated towards...
According to Reuters report, Guinea's bauxite production and exports increased for the third consecutive year in 2023. The West African nation is one of the world's biggest producers of bauxite, having 40 billion tonnes of mining capacity in Boké, Fria, Gaoual, Télimélé, Pita-Labé, Mali, Kindia, Dabola, Tougué, Lelouma, Mamou, Dalaba, Koubia. Guinea has the highest mining potential of bauxite, followed by iron ore (25 billion tonnes), gold, and diamond (more than 10 billion tonnes). In 2023, Guinea produced about 123 million tonnes of bauxite, up over 19 per cent year-on-year. With this significant rise, whether or not Guinea's bauxite production exceeded that of Australia is not known. Guinea's exports jumped 24.5 per cent to 127 million tonnes, 4 million tonnes more than production....
The Australian mining and exploration company Metro Mining Limited has announced that its Offshore Floating Terminal (OFT), Ikamba, smoothly departed from Weipa on April 25 th and successfully completed its mobilisation to Skardon River. On April 28 th , Ikamba commenced cargo operations, loading bauxite onto the capesize vessel, Jewel, positioned just eight nautical miles offshore. The OFT Ikamba stands as a cornerstone of Metro's ambitious expansion project, elevating its capacity to 7 million wet metric tonnes (WMT) and effectively tripling its potential transhipping throughput. This strategic addition not only bolsters the resilience of the Bauxite Hills Mine operation but also facilitates faster vessel loading, accommodating even larger vessels of up to Newcastlemax size (220,000...
The owners of barges at Goa's Mormugao Port call on the authorities to reopen the port and resume handling the bauxite cargo. Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) is a venerable port nestled along the western shores of India within the picturesque state of Goa. Established in 1885, it occupies the historic grounds of a natural harbour and boasts a legacy as one of India's earliest maritime hubs. Barge owners are urging authorities to intervene and redirect cargo back to Mormugao Port instead of diverting it to Jaigarh Port. Raymond Desa, former President of the Goa Barge Owners Association, confirmed that Hindalco, the principal company transporting Bauxite Cargo, has already rerouted a ship to Jaigarh Port. Jaigarh Port, also known as Jaigad Port, is an all-weather, multipurpose port in...
Southeastern European nation Montenegro's energy ministry said it had opened a tender to award a concession for the exploration and exploitation of red bauxite in the western municipality of Niksic. The ministry said in a tender invitation on April 22 that the concession area covers some 6.443 million square metres near the village of Kuta within the Vojnik-Maganik ore region. If the percentage of iron oxide in a bauxite sample is higher, it is called red bauxite. The concession period will be determined based on the estimated reserves of red bauxite, annual exploitation capacities, and market demand, with a maximum duration of 30 years, as stated in the document. Prospective bidders are required to provide a bank guarantee of 20,000 euros ($21,300). The deadline for bid submissions is...
The Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) has affirmed its commitment to ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to enhance the efficiency of the bauxite industry. According to a statement released on April 22, 2024, the JBI intends to achieve its objectives by furnishing research-based guidance to industry participants and participating in initiatives aimed at safeguarding bauxite lands from depletion. Further insights into these collaborative efforts were provided in the Jamaica Public Bodies Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 2025. The document stated, “Accordingly, during the 2024/25 financial year, the JBI will conduct research in a bid to develop an efficient procedure to treat with the processing of bauxite and extraction of commercial minerals, with...
Tianshan Aluminium's 2023 annual report highlights substantial advancements in its bauxite projects, particularly in Indonesia and Guinea. The report outlines that the Indonesian bauxite project, which the company has invested in and acquired, is engaged in a detailed exploration of resource reserves. It is on the verge of completing the prerequisites for equity delivery. Furthermore, Tianshan Aluminum intends to invest in constructing alumina projects with an annual capacity of 2 million tonnes in Indonesia. The company, in its commitment to environmental responsibility, has initiated the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval procedures with relevant local authorities for the Indonesian project. Importantly, this project has secured inclusion in Indonesia's list of national...
China customs data showed that the country's bauxite imports from January to February 2024 totalled 24.4794 million tonnes, reflecting an annual increase of 4 per cent. In individual months, China imported 13.2019 million tonnes and11.2775 million tonnes of bauxite. The import in January was 11.24 per cent up month-on-month and 7.15 per cent higher year-on-year, while the import in February edged a month-on-month fall of 14.58 per cent but grew 0.53 per cent year-on-year. Sources of imports Guinea, being the highest supplier of bauxite to China, provided 9.2859 million tonnes in January, which was 12.95 per cent up M-o-M and 1.52 per cent up Y-o-Y. From Australia, China imported 3.4759 million tonnes – 9.66 per cent higher M-o-M and 50.89 per cent more than in the previous year. From...
The joint venture company Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), comprising National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), has partnered with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT). Under the auspices of the Ministry of Mines of the Government of India, this collaboration seeks to propel the nation towards greater self-reliance in critical mineral resources. Recently, at the NALCO Corporate Office, Bhubaneswar, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between KABIL and CSIR-IMMT. This MoU lays the foundation for mutual cooperation in the realms of technical and knowledge, particularly in the domain of critical minerals. KABIL will...
Rio Tinto, a leading global mining group, is reportedly collaborating with a world-famous venture studio and startup investor Founders Factory to support the advancement and commercialisation of breakthrough technologies that will lead mining companies, including bauxite miners, to automation, decarbonisation, and safe mining operations. According to a report on April 9, Rio Tinto will invest A$14.4 million in global pre-seed and seed-stage startups in collaboration with Founders Factory over the next three years. The investment will go to companies focusing on decarbonisation, exploration processing, safe mine operations, and automation. Each startup will receive a cash investment and a chance to participate in a four-month accelerator programme run by Founders Factory. Founders Factory...
In 2023, the global bauxite industry experienced substantial changes, marked by shifts in production, trade dynamics, and pricing patterns. Australia, Guinea, and China emerged as key players shaping the worldwide bauxite market landscape. In 2023, global bauxite production was estimated to show a positive growth rate of 5.26 per cent, a significant rebound from the (-) 1.04 per cent decline witnessed in 2022 compared to the previous year. As per AL Circle’s “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2024” report , the estimated total global bauxite production for 2023 is expected to cross 400 million tonnes. This increase is mainly attributed to the heightened production levels in key bauxite-producing countries such as Australia, Guinea, and others. Australia is anticipated to hold its position...
Guinea is steadily increasing its bauxite shipments, and there are indications of further volume increases. Despite upheavals from the accident in December and the occasional public unrest, volumes of bauxite exports have grown so far this year and look set to continue growing. Simply put, the miners, shippers and traders (usually those 3 are the same company) are responding to increasing demand. The challenge is to get the material out of the ground and onto a vessel before the rainy season starts in a few months. Amongst the miners, SMB shipments continued to be high, with a total of approximately 11 million tonnes shipped as of mid-March, and shipments reached a single-week high of 1.45 million tonnes at the end of February. This was followed by Shunda Mining and Chinalco Boffa, which...
The British-Australian multinational company Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest metals and mining corporation, has released its 2023 Taxes and Royalties Paid Report, outlining the $8.5 billion paid in taxes and royalties worldwide for the year. In 2022, the company paid $10.8 billion, encompassing approximately $1.5 billion in Australian corporate tax payments attributable to previous years. In Australia, where nearly half of the company's global operations are based, taxes and royalties amounted to $6.6 billion (A$10.0 billion) in 2023. This included $4.1 billion (A$6.2 billion) in corporate taxes. Rio Tinto also made notable tax and royalty payments in Canada ($601 million), Chile ($477 million), Mongolia ($371 million), and the United States ($123 million). Peter Cunningham, Rio...
Mark your calendar for the 12 th International Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium Conference & Exhibition (IBAAS-IIM 2024). Scheduled to take place in BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus from September 25 to 27, 2024, this event stands as a beacon for industry professionals, experts, and aficionados alike. Don't miss this chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of our industry! About the event It is a unique occasion to converge, collaborate, and spark innovation within this ever-evolving sector. At the venue of the IBAAS-IIM 2024 conference , an exhibition will be organized showcasing the developments of the aluminium industry in India and the world over. This year the theme of the conference will be, “Aluminium Industry – Vision 2030.” The conference will unite titans of...
Aluminium Corporation of China (Chalco) expressed concerns about the "relatively high" risks associated with bauxite supplies from Guinea, highlighting the nation's increasing reliance on a single source for this crucial raw material. Last year, Guinea accounted for 70 per cent of China's bauxite imports, essential for aluminium production. This heavy dependence left the company, formerly known as Chalco, significantly vulnerable to the unrest and uncertainties in Guinea. "The company's bauxite mines in Guinea are subject to supply fluctuations due to local policy changes and frequent strikes," stated Chalco. Chalco's plan for continuous supply Chalco has outlined plans to ensure a continuous supply from a single mine in Guinea while also aiming to develop additional mines in the...
