Iran’s annual alumina output drops 2% driven by a fall in Q4; Chinese help to boost production

According to the latest report revealed by Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), Iran produced 225,942 tonnes of aluminium oxide, commonly known as alumina, in the past year 1401 (ended March 20, 2023). That reflected a drop of 2 per cent from the previous year despite a growing trend till the first nine months (March 21-December 21, 2022).

As per the data shared by IMIDRO, Iran’s alumina output stood at 176,239 tonnes during March-December, reflecting a 1 per cent rise year-on-year from 175,284 tonnes.

In the final quarter of the Iranian calendar year, Iran’s alumina production dwindled by 13.40 per cent quarter-on-quarter from 57,394 tonnes to 49,703 tonnes unlike the sequential rise in output in the third quarter by 1.50 per cent.

In the first half of the Iranian calendar year, Iran’s alumina production was 118,845 tonnes, up by 2.28 per cent from 116,192 tonnes a year ago. This indicates the output in H2 slipped by 9.9 per cent to 107,097 tonnes compared to the first six months of the year.

However, according to an official, Iran has begun researching the possibility of producing 500,000 tonnes of alumina annually from low-grade bauxite with Chinese assistance.

On January 23, 2023, Turaj Zar'e, the Managing Director of Iran Alumni Company (IAC), said, "The initial phase of studies was done with the Chinese, and we are conducting the second phase of the studies."

He claimed that once the goal is met, Iran will be self-sufficient in alumina. Currently, 80 per cent of Iran’s domestic demand for alumina is met with imports, which cost the country $1 billion annually.