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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BHP Billiton spinoff company South32 closed at R17.24 on Friday, dropping by 2.49%, down 10.3% on the week, and about 14.82% since it listed on the JSE over a month ago. Currently sitting a R17.20 per share, Troy Brady from NOAH Capital Markets says South32 has simply become a victim of the general negative sentiment towards resource stocks in recent times. Citing ArcelorMittal and African Rainbow Minerals as examples, both of which were down on Friday, Brady says it’s been a bad couple of months for everybody in the mining space, with the two stocks having lost 24% and 16% respectively in the last month. “It’s important to keep in mind that the resources sector as a whole is in trouble because of the slowdown in China,” says Brady. “It also doesn’t help that some South32 commodities –...
Québec Premier Philippe Couillard, accompanied by Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Exports Jacques Daoust and the Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region and Member for Dubuc Serge Simard, has announced the launch of the Québec Aluminium Development Strategy to foster the industry’s growth and global reach. The Strategy’s objectives are to double aluminium processing in Québec by 2025, to support equipment manufacturers and specialized suppliers in export markets, and to consolidate Québec’s position as one of the world’s largest primary aluminium producers. “We owe Québec’s reputation for excellence in large part to the aluminium sector’s businesses and employees. No other state has developed a complete strategy to promote industry growth....
Guinea Alumina Corporation SA, a mining development company wholly owned by Emirates Global Aluminum PJSC, signed a series of four agreements in Paris, France, with the Government of the Republic of Guinea - the latter represented by the Ministry of Mines and Geology and the National Agency for Development of Mining Infrastructures. Also present and party to the agreements were Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée and Compagnie de Bauxite et Alumina de Dian-Dian. The four agreements comprised: • A Multi-User Operations Agreement covering the access conditions and joint investment in the railway; • A Port Operations Agreement covering the modalities of operation and investment in the Port of Kamsar; • An Infrastructures Agreement covering GAC’s access rights to the existing infrastructures;...
The management of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) says it spends $500,000 (about N10 million) monthly to maintain facilities and equipment at its factory located in Ikot Abasi local government area of Akwa Ibom State since it took over the plant in 2007. It adds that more than $130 million has been invested in the smelter to modernise facilities beginning from 2007 when the company began operations. In an exclusive interview with Businessday in this office at Ikot Abasi, the company’s Managing Director, Zaviyalov Dmitry said while the plant was in operation, it suffered many disruptions in gas supply which he said resulted in partial and later full suspension of operations adding that the company incurred huge losses running into millions of US Dollars on remedial works...
Aluminium settled up 1.27% at 107.55 rallied after improved manufacturing data from top consumer China bolstered sentiment, though gains are expected to be capped by seasonal demand weakness ahead and the strength of the dollar. But still sentiments remain weak as concern prevails in the market in regards with the prices outlook as Global aluminium production growth is on a surge again as the latest figures from the International Aluminium Institute showed daily average output in May falling marginally from April’s 158,100 tonnes to 157,800 tonnes. Aluminium market is unlikely to see enough producer cutbacks to reduce oversupply in coming months as currency benefits and cheaper inputs have allowed most smelters to stay out of the red. That means the price of the lightweight metal used in...
Aluminum prices in China’s spot market will take a hit next week as demand is unlikely to turn around amid strong pessimism, Shanghai Metals Market foresees. Spot aluminum should trade at discounts of 70-120 yuan per tonne over SHFE front-month contract. Selling pressure at highs will keep SHFE 1509 aluminum contract in check within 12,650-12,800 yuan per tonne. The rise in LME aluminum this past week was accompanies with an increase in positions, a sign of improved market sentiment. As such, LME aluminum might rise to challenge resistance at the 2-day moving average and move between $1,700-1,740 per tonne.
Outotec to deliver anode rodshop technology to China Xinfa Group's aluminum smelter in China. Outotec has received an order for rodshop technology from Chiping Xinyuan Aluminium Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of China Xinfa Group, a leading aluminum producer in China, for their new aluminum smelter in Shandong province. The order value exceeds EUR 12 million and it has been booked in Outotec's 2015 second quarter order intake. Outotec's delivery includes process engineering and proprietary process equipment as well as services for the commissioning and operational support for a new anode rodding shop, which is part of the new aluminum smelter. The new smelter is expected to produce annually one million tonnes aluminum. The deliveries will take place in 2016 and include both local and offshore...
The Centre is ready to put up eight more coal blocks for auction after it concludes the third bidding round in August, said Coal Secretary Anil Swarup. Addressing a conference on Metals and Minerals organised by the Indian Chambers of Commerce here on Wednesday, Swarup said, “We have identified eight more blocks which would be offered after the third round of auctions. In a year’s time we believe that coal availability will cease to be problem.” In the third round of auctions, which is expected to be complete by August 17, on offer are 10 blocks for the unregulated sectors of steel, cement and captive power plants. Swarup added that he expects fewer bids from aluminium companies, which will leave more coal for the steel sector. “Most of the aluminium plants have already bid and won in the...
A late night compromise on the nation's renewable energy target had the businesses in Australia celebrating the return of certainty to energy policy and environmentalists worrying that the policy has been watered down too far. The deal between the Coalition, Labor and the crossbenchers will cut the RET to 33,000 gigawatt hours, down from 41,000, after government MPs argued for deeper cuts over 12 months ago. But conditions in the deal include the burning of wood waste, a "windfarm commissioner" to oversee wind power and exemptions for major energy users. Australian Conservation Foundation's Victoria McKenzie-McHarg said winners in the deal were coal-fired power stations and companies wanting to "generate electricity by burning native forest". However, Australian Chamber of Commerce and...
International Aluminium Institute (IAI) that measures the production trend in the world has come out with its latest numbers. IAI has mentioned that the trend of Aluminium production is again on higher side. World Aluminium markets that showed record production numbers in the month of May 2015 after a slight decline seen in April 2015. Data estimates from International Aluminium Institute (IAI) showed that the total primary Aluminium production reached 4.89 million tonnes in the month of May 2015 from 4.373 million tonnes in the month of March 2014. This marks an increase of 11.8% during the period of one year. The production increased 3.16% on a monthly basis in April 2015. The production of Aluminium in April 2015 was 4.743 million tonnes. China remained the major contributor to the...
Shanghai Metals Market reports that the 15% cut on freight rate for shipping aluminum ingot out of Xinjiang effective from June 12, will cut down costs for local smelters in the midst of low aluminium price. SMM’s research team analyses that the discounted rate will save 75 yuan on per ton of aluminium on containerized shipments and 96.3 yuan per ton on bulk rail shipments. Due to reach coal resources in Xinjiang and low cost availability of the same, Aluminum smelters in Xinjiang enjoy low production costs compared to other aluminium producing provinces of China. However, SMM is of the opinion that this 15% cut on freight rate for shipping aluminum ingot out of Xinjiang is not going to trigger a massive outflow of aluminium from the province. SMM’s conclusion is based largely on two...
Allocating coal blocks for the aluminium industry is the key to increase the indigenous production of the metal, said the National Aluminium Company (NALCO), a public sector unit. The price of aluminium is controlled by the London Metal Exchange. In India, the production of aluminium is solely dependent on coal energy. Therefore, procurement of coal is a major challenge for the industry. “Aluminium Industry, being a power intensive industry, requires a lot of power. Around 40% of the production cost of aluminium is power. Unless we get coal in a preferential way, we cannot compete with IPPs (Independent Power Producers). They are not treating this CPP (Captive Power Plants) on a different footing. So, it is not possible for us to beat them (IPPs) and get coal at aggressive prices and...
China's primary aluminium imports declined by 71.98% from a year earlier to 6,738 tons in May, latest data from China's customs authority showed. Primary aluminium imports from January to May period this year totalled 46,723 tons, down 78.01% year-on-year. Exports of primary aluminium form China during the first 5 months of 2015 was around 19,531 tons, declined 64.32% from a year ago. In May alone, the country exported 618 tons, down 96.9% compared with the same month of last year.
Alcoa today announced that Michael Parker will become President Alcoa Refining and Australia Region effective 25 September. He succeeds Alan Cransberg who will retire from Alcoa after 35 years of distinguished service. Parker will be responsible for Alcoa's refineries across the globe, including commercial and operational activities, as well as environment, health and safety and the Refining Centre of Excellence. Alcoa has refineries in Australia, Brazil, Spain, Suriname and the United States (US). Parker will also represent Alcoa in Australia to facilitate growth opportunities and coordinate government affairs, human resources, communications and associations. "Michael’s exemplary leadership capabilities and significant commercial expertise will help him continue to drive the success of...
National capital New Delhi will host the 4th India Minerals and Metals Forum 2015 - Ferrous and Non Ferrous" on Wednesday. The event to be held at Hotel Le Meridien, will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar. With the Indian economy expected to grow by over seven percent, sectors such as infrastructure and automobiles will receive a renewed thrust, which would further generate demand for power and steel in the country. This is expected to provide a major boost to the demand of minerals and metals. Minerals like manganese, lead, copper and alumina are also expected to witness double digit growth in the years ahead. There is significant scope for new mining capacities in iron ore, bauxite, and coal. India has an advantage in the cost of production and in...
State-owned aluminium maker PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) will spend around US$750 million on a steam-fueled power plant, which would double its production capacity, starting from mid-next year in anticipation of higher energy demand. Inalum president director Winardi Sunoto said Friday that the firm expected to cover 35 percent of the 600-megawatt power plant project from internal cash. It was now seeking to generate the rest from external sources. “The construction of the power plant will take up to 40 months, which is very long compared to a smelter or seaport, so it is the priority,” he told reporters after a meeting with Industry Minister MS Hidayat. The new power plant project is part of $1.9 billion that Inalum will spend on a wide array of development projects over the...
The aluminium market is unlikely to see enough producer cutbacks to reduce oversupply in coming months as currency benefits and cheaper inputs have allowed most smelters to stay out of the red. That means the price of the lightweight metal used in transport and packaging may be drawn still lower towards levels that would force more supply to be shut down, analysts and industry sources said. Closures or lower output are needed to slash a surplus on global markets mainly due to surging output and exports from top producer China. Consultancy CRU has increased its forecast of a global aluminium surplus for 2015 to 963,000 tonnes. "Cutbacks are going to be difficult. Input costs have come down, so margins at producers may in fact have stayed OK even though prices have come down," said Robin...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the leading employers in Bahrain, announced the appointment of S. Hussain S. Fadhel as the Manager of Reduction Lines 1-3 and Mustafa A. Rahman as the Manager for Carbon 3. Mustafa A. Rahman joined Alba in 2001 as a Laboratory Analyst and consequently worked in many departments within the company. In 2003, Mustafa was made Shift Supervisor, Reduction Line 4 and in 2012, was promoted to Technical Superintendent. Mustafa has a BSC in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bahrain as well as an MBA from the University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom. S. Hussain S. Fadhel started his career in Alba as a Senior Operator in 1996. He was promoted to Supervisor in 2003 and later made Superintendent in 2010 followed by Senior Superintendent in 2014. S....
