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...
109% rise in aluminium imports & 28% drop in domestic output lead New Zealand extruders to seek urgent actions
New Zealand’s aluminium extrusion industry is calling for urgent government action as it faces growing pressure from low-priced imports. The Aluminium Extruders Association of NZ (ALENZ) says a rise in imported aluminium extrusions, particularly from China, is affecting local manufacturers, with...
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Novaproducts new aluminium stair nosing for sandy and abrasive environments
Novaproducts Global has released a new aluminium stair nosing product specially designed for the sandy and abrasive environment prevalent in Western Australia. Novaproducts’ new Fineribb CCRG stair nosing is made from special commercial grade aluminium and has a tough extra grade anodised surface...
Rusal raises China aluminium exports with Australian government
Top global aluminium producer Rusal said it has raised China's swelling aluminium exports with the Australian government, and wants the issue tabled at the next meeting of the world's top customs body. John Hannagan, chairman of Rusal Australia, and a director of the Australian Aluminium Council,...
Alumina says Portland smelter safe from Alcoa’s review
While Alcoa is busy reviewing its upstream portfolio to cut back costs and production through sale or closure, Alumina Limited says that the Portland aluminium smelter in New Zealand is safe from scrutiny. The Portland plant, which is a joint venture between Alcoa, Alumina Limited, China’s Citic...
Tiwai point smelter returns to profits but uncertainties linger
The Tiwai Point almunium smelter is back to running a profitable operation, though uncertainties about its outlook have left question marks over its intrinsic value, according to majority owner Rio Tinto. The smelter "is currently profitable as a result of high regional and product premiums and...
XINFA's first shipment of bauxite to China expected next month
The first shipment of bauxite to China is expected next month as mining has already started at Votualevu village in Lekutu, Bua. XINFA Aurum Explorations Fiji Limited Mine Manager, Basilio Vanuca says 400,000 tonnes of bauxite is expected to be extracted from the new site. He said 200 seasonal...
New technology for recycling aluminium alloy revealed at the Australian International Airshow
Australians demonstrated some clever innovations at the Australian International Airshow conducted last week which included a new way of recycling aluminium. Australia’s boffins demonstrated this country could still lead the way when it comes to aviation research. Deakin University metallurgist...
Aluminium a stand out at Sculpture by the Sea
It is stylish, strong, lightweight, non-corrosive and shines brilliantly in daylight; all reasons why nine artists used aluminium in their Sculpture by the Sea artworks this year. 2015 marks the 11th year founding partner Alcoa of Australia has lent its support to the iconic sculpture showcase...
Queensland Bauxite agrees to investment by China Bauxite Trading
Queensland Bauxite has landed $910,000 in equity funding from a Chinese investment group in a placement at $0.014 per share to finance further development of the potentially 2015 producing South Johnstone Bauxite project. In cash strapped commodity markets, China Bauxite Trading & Investments...
Rio Tinto slashes job in a cost-cutting drive
Rio Tinto Plc said on Friday that in its latest moves to slash costs in response to weak commodity prices it was letting go its energy chief, rolling its coal and uranium businesses into two other units and cutting some other corporate jobs. Rio's coal mines in Australia will be folded into the...
XINFA plants pine seedlings for rehabilitation of Nawailevu Bauxite site
XINFA Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Ltd has so far planted 12,000 pine seedlings at the Nawailevu Bauxite Mining as part of its rehabilitation program. In an interview yesterday, mine site manager Isireli Dagaga said their aim was to plant more than 35,000 seedlings at the 12-hectare land that had...
Altech appoints Seatram as its transport and logistics provider
Highlights • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Seatram • For supply of total transport and logistics solution for Altech’s proposed high purity alumina (HPA) operation • Leading international freight forwarder and logistic provider based in Western Australia • Malaysia-specific logistics...
Quintrex reveals new aluminium trailers
Quintrex announced new trailers, including the first aluminium model for boats as little as 4.2m. Quintrex said the aluminium trailer range has been popular given its lightweight design. While Quintrex sells many of these trailers as packages, the company hopes to increase its share in the stand...
New bauxite mine in Bua expected to yield $16 million
The newly discovered 400,000 tons bauxite resource in Bua is expected to yield $16 million in revenue, according to the Mine Manager of XINFA Aurum Explorations Fiji Limited, Basilio Vanuaca. The mining site located at Votua, Letuku in Bua, has started work this month, employing 200 seasonal...
Illegal mining on Solomons' Rennell Island
The Solomon Islands Government has ordered a stop to mining on Rennell Island, after a company disregarded the cancellation of its licence. PT Mega Bintang Borneo Ltd was told to halt mining and remove all its equipment on December the 23rd, but according to the Solomon Star, is still operating....
EPA faces the challenge of cleaning up Alcoa’s abandoned Point Henry Smelter
The environmental guardians of Victoria are up for a challenge with a massive rehabilitation project for the defunct Point Henry smelter looming close which will test their ability to deal with the daunting task. The Environment Protection Authority has faced a lot of flack lately as the current...
Bell Bay Aluminium power price hikes 'may cost jobs'
One of Tasmania's biggest electricity consumers has warned the State Government that rising electricity costs are threatening its viability. In a submission to a Senate committee looking at electricity companies, Bell Bay Aluminium noted there had been a 200% increase in transmission charges over...
Rennell people benefit from mining spin-offs
Village farmers, fishermen and village shop owners of West Rennell and surrounding communities are experiencing the influx of cash-flow and increase of revenue in their shops and communities as a direct result of the current bauxite mining operation in the area. A landowner Malcolm Sau who has just...
New South Wales to introduce rewards system to boost recycling
New South Wales is getting ready to adopt the container deposit scheme aping South Australia which offers people some monetary returns for recycling bottles and aluminium cans. NSW Premier Mike Baird and State Environment Minister Rob Stokes had sent out a letter addressed to the National Packaging...
