Century Aluminum’s proposed USD 4 billion primary aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, is “moving forward on all fronts” as the company prepares for construction, despite local opposition and legal challenges, CEO Jesse Gary said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call. Developed jointly by Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the project is designed to produce 750,000 tonnes of primary aluminum annually, potentially doubling U.S. primary aluminum production. The facility is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and add USD 1.5 billion to Oklahoma’s gross domestic product, according to company estimates. The partners had targeted construction to begin by the end of 2026. However, local restrictions and permitting challenges have affected the...
LME aluminium stocks declined by more than half during the first nine months of 2026, falling by 267,875 tonnes from 509,250 tonnes on January 2 to 241,375 tonnes on September 30 (52.6 per cent). The decline continued throughout the period, with average warehouse inventories falling each month. Compared with the same period in 2025, monthly average stocks were lower across all nine months, with the gap widening in the third quarter. Q1 LME aluminium stocks fall 18.2 per cent LME aluminium inventories continued to decline during Q1 2026. Month-end stocks fell from 495,725 tonnes in January to 465,550 tonnes in February, before dropping further to 416,775 tonnes in March. Monthly average inventories stood at 498,670 tonnes in January, 481,801 tonnes in February and 440,710 tonnes in March....
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Rio Tinto has reminded Australia it's not the only developed economy suffering from global shifts in the aluminium industry, as it moves to close down a smelter in Britain. Rio announced last night the Lynemouth aluminium smelter in Northumberland would close on March 29, leaving at least 323 people redundant and the future of a nearby power station unclear. The Lynemouth move follows a multiple-billion dollar write-down of Rio's aluminium assets in February and warnings from BHP Billiton that the sector is facing "structural not cyclical" changes as the industry adjusts to cheaper expansion of the sector in China. The high Australian dollar has been principally blamed for imminent closures of some Australian aluminium operations, with Alcoa expected to close Victoria's Point Henry...
China's aluminum industry is likely to grow in 2012 at its slowest rate in more than three years, with consumption likely to rise 5%-10% year-on-year, the chairman of major aluminum producer Henan Shenhuo Group said Thursday. Speaking to Dow Jones Newswires on the sidelines of China's annual legislative session, Li Chong said the slow growth compares with rates of more than 20% in pre-crisis years. The domestic aluminum industry is beset by severe oversupply pressures and warehouse inventories are at record levels, he said. Shenhuo is planning to cut its galvanized-aluminum output this year to 600,000 metric tons from 700,000 tons last year as a result of the softer growth conditions, Li said. "The theme for the industry in the next three to five years will be consolidation and...
LME three-month aluminum closed at USD 2,213/mt on Thursday, little changed from the previous trading day as a surge of 10,050 mt in stocks offset support from optimism towards the Greek debt-swap. Strong support at the USD 2,200/mt mark showed, however, after the contract slipped for a fifth consecutive day. As investors wait for China’s February CPI and US non-farm payroll data, aluminum price may rise slightly in an overall bullish environment. As such, SMM expects LME three-month aluminum to move between USD 2,200-2,250/mt as it tests resistance at the 5-day moving average. The most active SHFE aluminum contract for May delivery is expected to move between RMB 16,150-16,250/mt while struggling at the 5-day moving average. Spot discounts over the SHFE current-month aluminum price are...
Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) held its ‘1st Falah Annual Corporate Awards’ ceremony to officially celebrate the exceptional achievements made by the Al Taweelah smelter’s top performing staff. The landmark industrial diversification project’s ‘Falah Campaign’ has been created to recognise EMAL employees that have gone above and beyond the call of duty in the pursuit of excellence, and aims to establish winners as a shining example to “spark success” in colleagues. Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, EMAL’s President and CEO, said: “The awards help to create a collaborative and inclusive workforce, where employees are encouraged to contribute and suggest ideas, promote a safe working environment and work in line with EMAL’s core values. I personally congratulate the winners who has delivered outstanding...
The five Gulf smelters – Alba, Dubal, Emal, Sohar and Qatalum – produced more than 3.6 million tonnes of aluminium in 2011 and will reach around five million tonnes by 2014 when Ma’aden and Emal phase 2 are completed, a report said. During the year, Emal announced phase 2 expansion, Ma’aden started construction of the Bauxite mine and the Alumina refinery, while Qatalum completed its rump up programme. Dubal production exceeded one million tonnes for the second year running, Alba reached its highest level of production and Sohar reached the benchmark of producing 1 million tonnes of Aluminium since commencement in June 2008, added the report by Gulf Aluminium Council. In 2011, a number of aluminium downstreams were established in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Above all, the Gulf...
Jharsuguda: As a part of its continuing effort to promote and inculcate safety consciousness among the plant personnel, 41st National Safety week was observed today here at the premises of Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) Jharsuguda. On this occasion, safety related programmes were conducted in which plant personnel from all sections along with employees and Chiefs of partner companies participated. The Safety week is being observed from 4th March 2012 to 10th March 2012 marking the foundation of National Safety Council of India and to observe this year's National Safety Day theme "Ensure safe and Healthy Working Environment – A Fundamental right." Mr. Gopal Chandra Bishoi Deputy Director of Factories & Boiler, Sambalpur Division graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Mr. Pramod Suri, CEO Vedanta...
Hydro has extended three agreements with EDB ErgoGroup forthe development, management and operation of Hydro's Commodity Trading System(CTS). The renewed agreements run for three years, with the option to extend for further two years. The three agreements represent total contract value of NOK17 million over three years. "Hydro is an important customer for EDB ErgoGroup and we appreciate theconfidence the company has shown in EDB ErgoGroup by choosing us as its supplierfor a further three years. We have a long-standing and excellent relationship asa supplier to Hydro, and I look forward to developing this further during thelife of these agreements", comments H?vard Larsen, Head of the Solutionsbusiness area at EDB ErgoGroup. EDB ErgoGroup is the current supplier forHydro's CTS, and the new...
Rio Tinto Alcan, the aluminum division of Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) said Tuesday it will close its Lynemouth aluminum smelter in Northumberland, England on March 29 as part of its aluminum restructure plan and added that it's still in talks to sell the Lynemouth Power Station. Rio Tinto was forced to book an $8.9 billion impairment charge in 2011 to reflect a fall in the value of the struggling division also known as Rio Tinto Alcan. The company bought Alcan at the peak of the market in 2007 for $38 billion and has so far written off $18.2 billion of that value. Anglo-Ausralian miner said it's still committed to investing in the division but has embarked on a restructuring that will result in the sale of 13 aluminum businesses, including refineries and smelters in Australia and Europe. In the...
Russia exported in January 260,500 metric tons of aluminum, an increase of 58% compared with the January 2011, the federal customs service reported Tuesday. The exported aluminum was worth $557.2 million compared, with $297 million in January 2011. Aluminum export to countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States in January totaled 256,700 tons worth $548.5 million. Aluminum exports to CIS states totaled 3,800 tons worth $8.7 million.
LME three-month aluminum closed lower for a third consecutive day on Tuesday as worries towards a Greek default increased following Greek debt authority’s confirmation that March 8 is the deadline for investors to complete a debt swap. The US dollar index surged to 79.867, nearing 80, while the light metal lost USD 52/mt or 2.28% closing at USD 2,232/mt as a result. Amid a slightly bearish market sentiment and cautiousness before Greek debt swap results and US February non-farm payroll data comes out, LME three-month aluminum is expected to test support at USD 2,200/mt and move between USD 2,200-2,250/mt during today’s trading. The most active SHFE three-month aluminum contract is expected to test support at the 60-day moving average and hover between RMB 16,100-16,200/mt. Weakness in...
A selling wave swept across commodities markets on Monday as China lowered its growth target to 7.5%, euro zone PMI contracted in February and US factory orders dropped 1%. LME three-month aluminum dropped to a low of USD 2,271/mt overnight amid profit-taking by longs. The metal narrowed losses to USD 37.8/mt or 1.63% later, closing the trading day at USD 2,284/mt. Stagnating global economic recovery will hurt market confidence and consequently pressure LME aluminum at the 10-day moving average. The moving band is expected to be USD 2,260-2,305/mt. The most active SHFE aluminum contract for May delivery is expected to move between RMB 16,130-16,230/mt. As the SHFE current-month aluminum contract is pressured at the RMB 16,000/mt mark, withholding of goods at low-end prices is believed to...
The federal opposition has tried to link possible job losses at Rio Tinto's Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania to the imminent introduction of Labor's carbon tax. Bell Bay general manager Ray Mostogl has not blamed the carbon price but rather 'tough market conditions in the form of a high exchange rate, higher costs of production and low aluminium prices', according to Fairfax Media. It has been reported that about 600 jobs are at risk at the Bell Bay smelter. Opposition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt says Rio Tinto has warned that the operation could be shut entirely within two years. 'The prime minister (Julia Gillard) must immediately defer the carbon tax to save Australian jobs, with the announcement that Rio Tinto is considering shutting its Bell Bay aluminium smelter in...
Fitch Ratings has placed India-based Vedanta Aluminium Ltd's (VAL) National Long-Term Rating of 'Fitch A-(ind)' on Rating Watch Positive (RWP). A complete list of rating actions is provided at the end of this commentary. The rating actions follow Vedanta Resources Plc's (VRPLC, the parent, Issuer Default Rating: 'BB+'/Stable) announcement on 25 February 2012 that VAL will be merged with Sesa Sterlite (SS). This forms part of a recommended merger of Sesa Goa Ltd (SGL) with Sterlite Industries Ltd (SIL) and the proposed consolidation and simplification of the group structure. The RWP reflects the potential that the ratings on VAL's debt, which will be transferred to SS, could be upgraded post completion of the merger. This is mainly due to an expected improvement in VAL's credit profile,...
The international situation became more and more complicated in recent years and domestic also faced difficulties in industrial structure. The weak consumption is the key factor caused weak aluminum price in domestic. Many aluminum processing enterprises stated with less orders and slight profits, they hoped the NPC and the CPPCC could come on more policies to stimulate consumer spending. Some enterprises also care about when aluminum products export rebate policy will take into effect. A large-scale aluminum enterprise said domestic macropolicy is the major reason controlled aluminum industry and non-ferrous metals enterprises, they paid close attention to the impact on market which was brought by domestic policies. It is reported that 15% aluminum enterprises care about domestic...
Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) will showcase its technological excellence when it takes part in the TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition (TMS 2012) in the US next week. Being held at the Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, from March 11 to 15, the focus of TMS is on providing materials science and engineering professionals the opportunity to network, present research, share industrial applications and introduce innovation. Two senior executives from Dubal will present technical papers, both of which will also be published in Light Metals 2012. The presentations are: • “The successful implementation of Dubal DX Technology at Emal” — Michel Reverdy (technology transfer manager) will present this paper, which outlines the fast-track, in-house development of the technology plus the relatively rapid...
(China Aluminum Network) The international situation became more and more complicated in recent years and domestic also faced difficulties in industrial structure. The weak consumption is the key factor caused weak aluminum price in domestic. Many aluminum processing enterprises stated with less orders and slight profits, they hoped the NPC and the CPPCC could come on more policies to stimulate consumer spending. Some enterprises also care about when aluminum products export rebate policy will take into effect. A large-scale aluminum enterprise said domestic macropolicy is the major reason controlled aluminum industry and non-ferrous metals enterprises, they paid close attention to the impact on market which was brought by domestic policies. It is reported that 15% aluminum enterprises...
The government will take over aluminum producer PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) in a transaction deal, which will be worth up to US$700 million, when the company’s contract ends in 2013. Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said in Jakarta on Friday that the acquisition value was based on audits conducted by three independent auditing companies on Inalum. “All three auditing companies gave a value of between $600 million and $700 million,” Hatta said. Hatta added that the funds would be taken from reserve funding allocated in the state budget (APBN). Hatta also said that once the takeover of Inalum was completed, the company would be managed under a related state-owned company in cooperation with a private company. “The most important thing to do now is to bring Inalum back...
LME three-month aluminum closed down USD 31.3/mt or 1.33% at USD 2,321.8/mt last Friday after a lower German retail sales and a higher Spanish unemployment rate were reported to again ignite worries towards the European debt crisis. While the situation in Europe is not optimistic, hopes for the two meetings of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are expected to help LME three-month aluminum test support at USD 2,300/mt as it moves between USD 2,300-2,350/mt during today's trading. The most active SHFE three-month aluminum contract is expected to open near RMB 16,240/mt and move between RMB 16,200-16,280/mt. Weak fundamentals are expected to maintain spot discounts of RMB 90-140/mt over the SHFE...
