Bell Bay Aluminium (BBA), Australia's oldest aluminium smelter, is reviewing its workforce and offering redundancies for a small number of positions, just over a month after receiving an AUD 200 million (USD 137.52 million) government support package aimed at securing the facility's future until at least 2031. Up to 10 roles are understood to have been affected by the review, although the smelter is expected to retain its existing workforce of approximately 550 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Some redeployment opportunities will also be available, while the positions identified are not understood to involve frontline services. The changes reportedly include some former participants in Bell Bay Aluminium's graduate programme. Rio Tinto, which operates the smelter near George Town in...
South32 expects the sale of its aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa to be completed in the six months ending June 2027. The proposed transaction covers its aluminium operations and related bauxite and alumina assets in South Africa, Australia and Brazil. The sale follows a binding conditional agreement signed by the two companies, under which Alcoa agreed to acquire the assets for up to USD 5.6 billion . The assets include South32's Hillside Aluminium smelter and the idled Bayside smelter in South Africa, its interests in the Boddington bauxite mine and Worsley alumina refinery in Australia, and the Mineração Rio do Norte bauxite mine and Alumar alumina refinery and aluminium smelter in Brazil. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our...
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Aluminium prices eased by 0.10% to INR 100.90 per kg in futures trade today as participants trimmed positions, tracking a trend at spot market on sluggish demand. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in far-month February eased by 10 paise, or 0.10% to INR 100.90 per kg in business turnover of 44 lots. Likewise, the metal for delivery in January contracts weakened by 5 paise, or 0.05% to INR 100.10 per kg in 1032 lots. Anlysts said the weakness in aluminium at futures trade was mostly owing to slackened demand from consuming industries in the spot market.
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)’s, one of the leading aluminium smelters in the world, is a key participant in the well-known international aluminium event - Aluminium Symposium 2016, taking place from January 20-22, 2016 in Florida, USA, under the theme ‘Outlook for Aluminum in 2016’. As one of the first international aluminium event for 2016, Alba’s participation in the Aluminium Symposium 2016 marks its continuous commitment to expand its reach across diverse territories. Alba’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Abdul Latif, Manager Sales – Europe, Boris Santosi and Manager Sales – Alba Americas, Patrick Hudson, will represent the Company at this Symposium. Speaking about Alba’s participation, Alba’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Abdul Latif said: “GCC aluminium production constitutes...
China's plans to set up funds to manage coal and ferrous metal capacity closures and stockpiling schemes offer nervous markets some clarity on the likely future make-up of the country's sprawling and predominantly state-run metals and mining industries. As the world's largest producer of aluminium, steel and other metals, and the biggest consumer of copper and iron ore, China is crucial to global metals markets which have slumped in the past year as Chinese industrial demand growth slowed. China's slowdown has hit revenue at global miners such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, and the market is keen to know what China plans for its own state-run mining and metals giants - many of which have kept producing even as prices drop below the cost of production. After weeks of talks between...
BHP spin-off South32 has slashed its debt and sharply cut costs as it races to stay ahead of weaker earnings amid a slump in commodities prices. The company on Thursday posted drops in production across most of its businesses for the December quarter. South32 has already cut or suspended production at high-cost manganese ore mines in South Africa, as well as several aluminium smelters, but said it was ready to do more if needed to ride out the volatile market conditions. "Further decisive action will be taken as we seek to maximise short-term cash flow while preserving longer-term value," chief executive Graham Kerr said. The company said its net debt by the end of December stood at $US115 million ($A166.79 million), down from $US196 million three months earlier, and $US402 million at the...
Aluminium prices were down 0.55 per cent to INR 100.30 per kg in futures trade today as participants trimmed exposures amid weak global cues and sluggish demand in the domestic spot markets. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in the current month eased by 55 paise, or 0.55 per cent, to INR 100.30 per kg in a business turnover of 363 lots. Similarly, the metal for delivery in February was trading lower by 50 paise, or 0.49 per cent, at INR 100.90 per kg in 22 lots. Marketmen said the weakness in aluminium at futures trade was mostly in tune with a weak trend at London Metal Exchange (LME) on renewed worries over global growth and muted demand at domestic spot markets.
Alcoa announced today that it is expanding its Investor Relations capability in preparation for the previously announced separation of the Company during the second half of 2016. Matt Garth, Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, will take on the additional leadership of Alcoa's Investor Relations group. Garth will be the primary point of contact for investors and analysts. Vice President Investor Relations Nahla Azmy, and Patricia Figueroa, Director Investor Relations, will report to Garth. Garth led Alcoa’s investor relations function from May 2009 to November 2010 before being promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Alcoa’s $3 billion global packaging business. He assumed his current role as head of Financial Planning and Analysis in September 2015.
New predictions pick the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter in Southland is likely to stay open, but possibly in a scaled-down form.The predictions come from utilities analyst Nevill Gluyas at research and broking firm First New Zealand Capital. There have been suggestions for years that the smelter would shut down because of low aluminium prices. It faced closure in 2013 but stayed on after winning a $30 million bailout from the government, and getting an undisclosed cut in the price it paid for its electricity from Meridian Energy. Then last year the smelter negotiated a new agreement until 2030.But this was open to early termination if needed, with 2018 being the possible shut-down date if conditions deteriorated. That left New Zealand's electricity industry with a huge headache, since the...
A novel rechargeable battery developed at MIT could one day play a critical role in the massive expansion of solar generation needed to mitigate climate change by midcentury. Designed to store energy on the electric grid, the high-capacity battery consists of molten metals (including molten aluminium) that naturally separate to form two electrodes in layers on either side of the molten salt electrolyte between them. Tests with cells made of low-cost, Earth-abundant materials confirm that the liquid battery operates efficiently without losing significant capacity or mechanically degrading-common problems in today's batteries with solid electrodes. The MIT researchers have already demonstrated a simple, low-cost process for manufacturing prototypes of their battery, and future plans call...
AluSolutions 2016, the only free exhibition and conference addressing sustainability challenges in aluminium production and processing, has announced Dr Fiona Solomon, Executive Director of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), as a keynote speaker. Dr Solomon brings nearly 20 years of experience in sustainability and corporate social responsibility to her role at the ASI and will present on how the industry can address the environmental, social and governance aspects of the aluminium value chain. Other speakers announced so far, include a representative from European Aluminium, Sustainability Consultant Melanie Williams, Graham Bruce from Taha International Corporation, as well as a representative from the Bureau for Middle East Recycling. The two-day exhibition, being held on...
St. Louis based energy utility service provider Ameren Missouri is in talks with the state lawmakers to help its largest customer, Noranda Aluminum find some way out to evade possible closure of its Southeast Missouri aluminum smelter, reported sources close to both the companies. The smelting facility buys roughly 10 percent of Ameren Missouri‘s power; hence, its closure would mean huge loss for the power utility as well. No wonder, the company has stepped in to find a solution to the situation despite the fact that they have never got along with Noranda Aluminum in Jefferson City. Sources say, Ameren is seeking changes in Missouri utility law that would give it more certainty when it files for rate increases. While no bill has been filed yet, it is reported that Ameren Missouri wants a...
National Aluminium Company NALCO will soon send an official team to Iran to explore setting up a smelter complex worth about $2 billion, its boss said, as world powers lift sanctions on Iran that had made negotiations difficult. NALCO Chairman Tapan Kumar Chand told Reuters on Monday that the ending of sanctions on Iran in return for the country's curbs on its nuclear programme could help the company finally move ahead with its long-held goal to set up a smelter there to make use of cheap gas resources. "It's a major bottleneck which has been cleared," Chand said. "As far as Iran is concerned they have already informed us that they are ready to receive the team." Cash-rich NALCO will also visit Oman and Qatar in the next two months to work out the best place to set up a...
Aluminium futures traded 0.30% higher at INR 100.75 per kg, largely in tandem with a firming trend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange (LME). Besides, increased demand at domestic spot markets influenced prices. At Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in January rose 30 paise, or 0.30%, to INR 100.75 per kg, in a business turnover of 304 lots. Metal for delivery in February was trading higher by 25 paise, or 0.25%, at INR 101.20 per kg in two lots. Analysts attributed the rise to a firming trend at the London Metal Exchange (LME) and pick up in demand at the domestic spot markets mainly influenced aluminium futures here.
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the leading aluminium smelters in the world, kicked-off the inaugural session of 2016 ‘Town Hall Meetings’ on January 14, 2016 at the Oasis Hall. Delivered by Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray, the 2016 ‘Town Hall Meetings’ will brief all employees about the Company’s performance in 2015 along with the expectations for 2016. The ‘Town Hall Meeting’ was a special initiative introduced by Murray in January 2014 to update employees on Alba’s performance and goals through presentations and interactive sessions. Speaking about this initiative, CEO Tim Murray said, “The Town Hall Meetings have become a tradition in our Company as a platform that provides a direct means of communication with our employees. Alba had a remarkable 2015 on many fronts...
The future of Tiwai Point aluminium smelter looks healthier. Amid falling alumina prices, global aluminium glut, and a weakening New Zealand dollar, this phenomenon indeed stands out as a milestone for the smelter owner, observe researchers in a recently published assessment note on the prospects for the New Zealand electricity sector this year. "Tiwai remains an uncertainty for the industry," the note says, with options to cancel existing electricity contracts triggering in April and January next year ahead of possible closure in early 2018 or a staged reduction in output. "Surprisingly perhaps, we think the risk of an early 2018 exit remains low despite bombed out aluminium prices," the note added. The smelter uses 13% of all the electricity generated in New Zealand. Its closure would...
Aluminium stocks in China fell at a slower pace as downstream consumption has softened. Aluminium stocks in China’s five major trading markets fell almost 40,000 tonnes each week on average in December, SMM data showed. However, average weekly decline was just about 5,000 tonnes in the first half of January. Some small and medium aluminium processors have closed early for the 2016 Chinese New Year holiday due in early February, hurting consumption of the light metal, SMM has learned. Aluminium smelters stepped up shipments to regions with massive production cuts, allowing stocks in major trading markets to continue falling, though. The table below shows details of aluminum stocks at China’s five major markets:
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa today announced it will delay the curtailment of its Intalco Works smelter in Ferndale, Washington until the end of the second quarter of 2016. The plant was initially scheduled to curtail by the end of the first quarter. The company announced a full curtailment of the Intalco smelter (230kmt) on November 2, 2015, with the plant’s casthouse continuing to operate. However, recent changes in energy and raw material costs have made it more cost effective in the near term to keep the smelter operating to provide molten metal to the plant’s casthouse. Once all announced curtailments and closures are complete, the company will have removed approximately 25 percent operating smelting capacity and approximately 20 percent of operating refining capacity by mid-2016,...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba), a prominent industrial company in Bahrain and one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters, received H.E. Mr. Alok Kumar Sinha, Ambassador of India to Bahrain today, January 18, 2016. Alba’s Chairman of Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa met with H.E. Mr. Alok Kumar Sinha, who was appointed in mid-2015 to his post in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting was held to familiarise H.E. Mr. Alok Kumar Sinha with Alba’s pioneering role as the first smelter in the Middle East and its position as an industrial leader and an economic pillar of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Shaikh Daij thanked H.E. Mr. Alok Kumar Sinha for his visit and hailed the historic and outstanding relations shared between the two countries. He also expressed his keenness...
Norsk Hydro ASA, the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company announced yesterday that its fourth quarter results 2015 will be released at 07:00 CET (01:00 AM EST, 06:00 UK time), on Wednesday February 17, 2016. The quarterly report and presentation slides will be available on Hydro’s website at the same time. Presentation in Oslo According to the company sources, Hydro will host a combined analyst and press conference, in English, at its corporate headquarters at Drammensveien 260, Oslo at 08:30 CET the same day. The presentation will be held by President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg and CFO Eivind Kallevik and can also be seen on web TV. Q&A / Conference Call There will be a conference call at 15:15 UK Time (16:15 CET, 10:15 AM EST,) the same day. The Q&A will be held by...
