
Algeria has inaugurated a 300-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant in El Oued Province, marking a major step in its renewable energy expansion. The El-Foulia solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, spread across 600 hectares in northeastern Algeria, is the country’s largest solar park to date and forms part of its 3.2-gigawatt (GW) national renewable energy programme. The project will feed solar-generated electricity into the national grid, helping meet rising power demand while reducing natural gas consumption for electricity generation. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore "ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap" 300 MWp facility strengthens Algeria’s solar capacity The inauguration took place on October 26, 2026, in the presence of...
Singapore is exploring solar photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles that could allow heritage buildings to generate clean electricity without compromising their traditional appearance, as the Energy Market Authority (EMA) steps up efforts to advance solar technologies through partnerships with public and private sector organisations. EMA will collaborate with Swiss technology innovation centre CSEM and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to pilot the use of solar PV roof tiles on heritage State buildings. Designed to resemble traditional clay roof tiles, the technology could enable more roof space to generate clean electricity while preserving the overall appearance of historic properties. Traditional clay-tile roofs are an integral part of the character of Singapore’s heritage precincts....
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India’s state-owned energy giant NTPC Ltd has taken a further step toward expanding its renewable portfolio, with new capacity now entering commercial service in Gujarat. Through its step-down subsidiary, NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd, the company has begun supplying 165 MW of power from the Khavda-II Solar PV project, which has a planned total capacity of 1,200 MW. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " This latest development represents the operationalisation of the fourth phase of the project, and the commercial operations are going to start from March 19, 2026. This tactical approach shows the Khavda-II project’s size and intricacy, which is an important solar initiative that also supports India’s clean...

Strengthening supply chains for critical minerals has become an urgent priority worldwide, and against this backdrop, Peru and Canada have moved to reinforce their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The arrangement places particular emphasis on critical minerals, sustainable mining practices and long-term economic cooperation. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The accord, completed on 18 March, brought together key representatives from both governments. It was signed by Jean-Dominique Ieraci, Canada’s Ambassador in Peru, acting on behalf of Tim Hodgson, and Peru’s Energy and Mines Minister, Angelo Victorino Alfaro Lombardi. At its core, the initiative seeks to drive innovation,...

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) awarded a 625 MWp solar power tender at a tariff of INR 2.34 per unit (USD 0.025) to Welspun Energy and NLC India Limited. Out of the total capacity, 300 MW was allocated to each. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The awards come nearly five months after the tender was floated. The projects can be developed anywhere in India, including sites that are already commissioned or under construction, offering flexibility to developers. More than 20 developers participated in the auction, with prices per unit ranging from INR 2.34 (USD 0.025) to INR 2.60 (USD 0.028). Also Read: India's push to localise the solar supply chain with ingot and wafer mandate from 2028...

Striving for a circular economy and a sustainable future, India has decided to commission only domestically produced solar ingots and wafers for renewable energy firms, starting June 2028. Proposed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the strategy is aimed at reducing dependency on Chinese imports to develop an integrated value chain for a localised solar manufacturing ecosystem. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The policy extends the present ones requiring locally assembled solar panels in government initiatives. Previous regulations allowed imports of upstream components like wafers, cells and polysilicon, but the new policy aims to ensure domestic value addition. Additionally,...

The United States is awaiting policy clarity from the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil, to advance a bilateral agreement on critical minerals. The US Embassy has identified Brazil as a key “friend-shoring” partner to reduce dependence on China. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The proposal spans more than 50 mining projects, with Brazil holding 21 million tonnes of rare earth reserves. Financing support is provided by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and EXIM Bank, over USD 600 million in credit lines for strategic minerals. Discussions between the two sides are centred on ensuring project viability and long-term value creation focus on pricing mechanisms to...

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NMDC to collaborate in the rare earth elements (REE) sector, on March 16, 2026. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The agreement aims to develop an integrated rare earth value chain in Gujarat, covering exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing and downstream applications. The focus will be on GMDC’s Ambadungar rare earth deposit to support India’s critical minerals push. Rare earth elements can be extracted from the byproduct of bauxite “red mud” through hydrometallurgical techniques such as acid leaching, or pyrometallurgical methods like smelting. Also Read: Camimex pushes for critical minerals in...

Camimex, the Mexican Mining Chamber, said it wants mining and critical minerals to be included in the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Early talks have started this week as North American countries look at how to strengthen supply chains. Camimex President, Pedro Rivero, said the sector is in discussions with Mexican authorities. He said there is interest from the United States and Canada in talking about critical minerals. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Rivero noted that the current agreement does not have a mining section. The chamber believes mining should be included because it supports many industries. It has shared its position with Mexico’s Economy Ministry during...

In April 2025, the US government issued an executive order focused on offshore critical minerals. The order encourages the development of mineral deposits on the seabed. It refers to minerals located both inside US waters and in ocean areas outside national control. Resources found within the nation’s maritime zones belong to it. However, minerals located in international seabed regions are not owned by any single country. Even so, the Trump administration suggested that companies could receive permission to mine in those international areas. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The policy is connected to the rising demand for the critical minerals used in modern technologies. Metals such as nickel,...

On March 11, 2026, the government told Parliament that efforts to explore rare earth minerals are being expanded across coastal and inland regions. Ongoing surveys in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu are being conducted by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) to assess monazite deposits in Konaseema, Puri and Thoothukudi districts. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " In inland hard-rock regions, survey areas include Jodhpur, Balotra and Udaipur in Rajasthan; Chhota Udepur in Gujarat; Salem in Tamil Nadu; and Warangal and Suryapet in Telangana. One of the main rare earth minerals found in India is monazite, which is found in deposits of beach sand together with other...

Lynas Rare Earths and JARE have revised their supply agreement. The deal secures a long-term supply of rare earth materials and introduces a price floor. Under the agreement, JARE will buy 5,000 tonnes of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) each year from Lynas. The contract runs until 2038, and the price floor is USD 110 per kg. JARE will also purchase 50 per cent of Lynas’ heavy rare earth production. This includes dysprosium and terbium, commonly used in permanent magnets and advanced electronics. Lynas became the first producer of separated heavy rare earth oxides outside China in May 2025. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Analyst Reg Spencer said the revised agreement reduces the influence of Chinese...

US President Donald Trump has thanked India and Reliance Industries Limited for supporting a landmark investment to build the first new oil refinery in the United States in almost five decades. Posting about it via an update on Truth Social, Trump announced that the oil refinery is part of a USD 300 billion investment plan to be built at the Port of Brownsville in Brownsville, Texas. A byproduct of oil refining, petroleum coke (petcoke) is a necessary raw material for producing carbon anodes used in the aluminium smelting process. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The aim of the project is to provide a boost to America’s energy production and expand economic partnerships with international investors....

Venezuela’s National Assembly has initially approved a new mining bill aimed at attracting foreign investment by reforming the country’s mining sector. It is said to be moving at “Trump speed”, meaning rapid policy changes to revive the mining sector after years of stagnation. The main objective of this new bill is to replace the outdated mining law from the late 90s, provide legal support for investors, and develop bauxite, gold and other critical mineral supply chains. This reform is followed by the recent oil industry changes, especially after the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro in January. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Bauxite is particularly important because it is the primary raw...

Anticipating the European Union’s (EU) upcoming restrictions on Russian gas imports and aided by President Vladimir Putin, Russia is preparing to redirect part of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments currently supplied to Europe to alternative global markets. The push is aligned with Moscow looking to step beyond the European market for long-term energy partnerships. An efficient and cleaner-burning fuel source for high-temperature process heating and melting purposes, LNG is increasingly used in the aluminium industry, offering a sustainable alternative to coal and aiding decarbonisation. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed that the government and...

The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) developed a method to purify carbon dioxide (CO₂) for underground storage or industrial use. The method removes carbon monoxide (CO) from CO₂ using a process called chemical cycling. In carbon capture and storage, captured CO₂ often contains impurities. These impurities can damage pipelines, storage sites, or catalysts used in later processes. Carbon monoxide is particularly restricted, and its concentration must generally remain below 100 to 300 ppm. Existing purification methods often require high energy, complex equipment, or may introduce additional contaminants. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The proposed method uses metal oxide...

On Sunday, global oil markets witnessed a sharp spike as crude oil prices crossed the USD 100 per barrel mark for the first time in over 3.5 years, triggered by supply disruptions stemming from the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and rising unrest across the Middle East, especially surrounding the global trade corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Brent crude, the international benchmark, reached USD 107.97 per barrel once trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, marking a 16.5 per cent increase from Friday’s closing price of USD 92.69. The benchmark for US light sweet crude, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), climbed to USD 106.22 per barrel, rising 16.9 per cent...

The Opposition Spokesperson on Energy and Telecommunications, Phillip Paulwell, emphasised that the economic advantages that can be received from Jamaica after establishing a rare earth minerals industry. He added that this could create exciting opportunities for technological progress as well. In a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee, Paulwell highlighted the growing global demand for rare earth elements. As per him, Jamaica has a good opportunity to tap into these valuable minerals found in bauxite residue, which is a byproduct of the country’s well-established alumina industry. Also read: Japan eyes Rajasthan rare earth deposits as supply shift gains momentum The statement of the People’s National Party (PNP), which was released on Friday, reflected that Paulwell raised a...

Rio Tinto is undertaking a research and development project focused on extracting primary gallium from its alumina refining process in Quebec. This project received a conditional contribution approval from Natural Resources Canada as part of the Global Partnerships Initiative (GPI). This came to light after the firm had successfully extracted its first gallium in collaboration with Indium Corporation back in May 2025. The construction of the pilot plant will start at its Complexe Jonquière in Saguenay, Canada. This aims towards testing the technology in a real-world industrial setting. It is estimated that the new facility will be up and running by 2027. Concurrently, the firm plans to build a demonstration plant at the same location, which will have the capacity to produce up to four...

Potential partnership between Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry and New Technologies and the United Kingdom to jointly extract, process, and develop critical minerals becomes more realistic as the former has passed a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK government. This cooperation is aimed at strengthening supply chains for resources vital to the global energy transition, advanced technologies, and industrial developments, while overcoming the market vulnerabilities due to concentrated production in a few countries and the risk of supply disruptions. Also read: UK outlines bold 2035 vision for critical minerals security In light of this, Tajikistan and the UK are working together to diversify supply sources and encourage the creation of more sustainable global supply...