Coal-heavy Australian aluminium vs renewables-led New Zealand: How Oceania is balancing decarbonisation
Oceania’s primary aluminium industry is facing a fragmented energy transition. While Australia, the leading aluminium producer of the continent, has abundant renewable resources and a well-established aluminium value chain, its smelters remain significantly more dependent on fossil-fuel-based...
Can the US afford to cut Canada off? 75% aluminium and $100b energy tell the story
The US aluminium industry’s dependence on Canada extends far beyond primary aluminium imports. While Canada supplies around 75 per cent of US imported primary aluminium, covering roughly 60 per cent of the country’s annual aluminium usage, it is also a major supplier of crude oil, natural gas and...
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Tasmanian Government refuses to offer power deals to smaller manufacturers
The Tasmanian Government has refused to be drawn on the possibility of offering smaller manufacturers cut price power deals, like those offered to two northern Tasmanian smelters. Last week, it was announced the Pacific Aluminium smelter at Bell Bay had signed a new power deal with Hydro Tasmania...
Ormet warns of smelter closure if elecricty rate plan for AEP Ohio is approved
US aluminum producer Ormet warned Ohio regulators Monday it could be forced to shut all or part of its 260,000 mt/year Hannibal smelter if said regulators approve a pending electric security plan for AEP Ohio, an American Electric Power subsidiary. Ormet said electricity costs at the smelter...
Harbor Aluminum conference Participant Report
For aluminum market observers, 2012 has brought some interesting dynamics. Take for example prices – LME prices have hit a two-year low, while Midwest premiums have hit a high. Meanwhile China prices remain comparatively high. At the same time, lead times from LME warehouses continue to grow and...
Aluminum Association Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Vice President for Environment, Health and Safety Charles Johnson testified before the House of Representative's Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy. The Association's testimony was related to the discussion draft bill entitled "The Increasing Manufacturing...
Sherwin Alumina fears harms from the upcoming Cheniere Energy plant
Two residents told federal officials at a public hearing Tuesday night they may intervene if a liquefied natural gas export terminal gets green-lighted for a permit. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had a public hearing to gather comments and answer questions about a project planned by...
Chinese smelters must curb costs of production for profit
And yet with the cost of aluminum production notoriously high in China, even in the lower-cost western provinces, many analysts have been looking for production cutbacks in China as being the catalyst for a move to supply balance and higher prices. Arguably China is a market unto itself. Tariffs or...
Hydro presents Powerhouse project at Rio+20
Aluminium in energy-efficient buildings and Hydro’s Powerhouse project were on the agenda when world leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro this week to discuss social and economic development and the environment concerns. During the “Rio+20 Business day,” Johnny Undeli, head of Hydro’s Bauxite &...
MIT researchers analyse contamination in aluminum recycling
Aluminum recycling continues to expand as it saves so much energy and money. But a new MIT analysis finds that this expansion could run into problems unless measures are taken to reduce impurities that can build up as aluminum is recycled over and over again: everything from paint and labels on...
Eskom will continue providing subsidised electricity to BHP Billiton
Eskom will allow BHP Billiton to produce aluminium using subsidised electricity, even if winter conditions necessitate load-shedding. “We have a contract with Billiton and we will fulfill that contract,” said chief executive Brian Dames in response to the question whether he, like his predecessor,...
Angel Broking gives neutral rating to Hindalco
Angel Broking has made an analysis on why Hindalco project is delaying ahead. Hindalco is on the verge of a massive expansion plan, wherein it is expanding its aluminium and alumina capacity three-fold over the coming 4-5 years. In light of recent events such as clearance of Mahan coal block by...
China Provinces to offer power subsidies to aluminum smelters
Cost pressures on China’s beleaguered aluminum industry could ease in the coming months as a number of provinces introduce power subsidies to reduce hefty electricity bills weighing on the energy-intensive sector. Plans are underway in central China’s Henan Province, which accounts for about a...
Aluminium smelters hit by oversupply, falling demand and high energy costs
"The aluminum can in my hand will be back in the refrigerator in 60 days in the form of another aluminum can after I drink its contents and put it into a recycling bin," said Charles McLane, holding a canned drink while conducting an exclusive interview with China Daily. The words of McLane,...
Novelis and U.S. Conference of Mayors Announce Winners of Cans for Cash Recycling Challenge
The winners of the 2012 Cans for Cash(TM) City Recycling Challenge were announced yesterday by the United States Conference of Mayors and Novelis Inc., the global leader in rolled aluminum products and aluminum can recycling. Established in 2004, Cans for Cash(TM) is a national contest that rewards...
Leader for Century Aluminum retirees raises new concerns in letter
Karen Gorrell, a leader and representative for Century Aluminum retirees, expressed new concerns about a continuing lack of health-care benefits in a letter she sent to Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, both D-W.Va., Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Century President Michael A. Bless. Gorrell, whose...
HINDALCO to buy a stake in Colombian coal mines
The Aditya Birla Group is in talks with American thermal coal miner Drummond Company to purchase a significant stake in coal mines in Colombia owned by the privately held company. The Kumar Mangalam Birla-promoted group wants to strengthen its mining business and utilise the coal for its captive...
Tomago Aluminium will be hit by the new carbon tax
It's hardly a household name but Tomago Aluminium is New South Wales' biggest power user. It needs the same amount of electricity as one million homes. The Federal Government's new carbon tax will affect the company on two fronts: directly, as one of Australia's 500 biggest polluters, and...
VAL to buy MALCO's power business for Rs 150cr
Vedanta Aluminum Limited (VAL) is planning to buy Madras Aluminium Company Limited (MALCO)’s power business for a consideration of around Rs 150crore. The group will also amalgamate Malco with Sesa Goa Limited (SGL). According to Sterlite Industries (India) Limited, a group company of VAL, as part...
DUBAL and GE won top honors at the Aluminum Summit for their System Modernization Project
GE showcased the power generation and energy management system modernization project the company recently completed for Dubai Aluminum (DUBAL). The success of this initiative won DUBAL and GE top honors in the “Best Brownfield Technology” category of American Metal Market’s Awards for Aluminum...
