Alumina weekly recap: Hydro charged for polluting Brazilian river over bauxite residue spillage from Alunorte alumina refinery; Soaring energy prices force Romania's sole alumina producer to cease operations

An association and nine victims together representing around 11,000 indigenous families from the north-eastern Brazilian river port of Barcarena sued Hydro, its seven subsidiaries and shareholders out of which six are based in the Netherlands over alleged spillage from the Alunorte plant for at least 20 years. On the other side, the sole Romanian calcined alumina producer has decided to halt its operations from 1^st August 2022 due to soaring electricity and natural gas price.

On 24^th June 2022, the Norwegian aluminium company Norsk Hydro was accused in a Dutch court, imputing the world’s biggest alumina refinery polluting a Brazilian river for years, engendering critical health issues for inhabitants. According to our report, one of the suitor’s lawyers said, “A lot of people have suffered horrible health effects as a result. That dates back at least two decades.”

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/hydro-charged-for-polluting-brazilian-river-over-bauxite-residue-spillage-from-alunorte-alumina-refinery-80792

The electricity and natural gas price surge has led the sole Romanian alumina producer to temporarily suspend operations. According to a report on Thursday, June 30, Alum Tulcea, an alumina refinery controlled indirectly by Vimetco through the aluminium producer Alro Slatina will halt production from August 1, 2022.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/the-sole-romanian-calcined-alumina-producer-to-halt-operations-from-august-1-due-to-electricity-natural-gas-price-surge-80855

The Australian supplier of high purity aluminium products, Alpha HPA, wishes to make at least 10,000 tonnes of HPA each year and additional high purity components utilising its HPA refining technology and solvent extraction procedure. Though Alpha is working towards three orders in Brisbane currently, the facility has currently been under lockdown following the installation of roller doors, clads and roofs.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/alpha-hpa-temporarily-closes-its-gladstone-facility-for-up-gradation-80828

Vedanta Limited’s Lanjigarh unit, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina, received prestigious recognition from the Kalinga Environment Excellence Award 2021 for being consistent with its commitment and contribution toward environmental sustainability.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/vedanta-lanjigarh-alumina-unit-bags-kalinga-environment-excellence-award-2021-for-unwavering-commitment-to-environmental-sustainability-80843

According to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), world alumina production in May 2022 recorded a month-on-month rise of 3.09 per cent to 11.728 million tonnes (including 10.983 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina), following almost a restraint in the previous month. In April, the output was 11.376 million tonnes, compared to 11.373 million tonnes in March 2022. However, on a year-on-year basis, world alumina output during May reflected a downfall of 3.08 per cent from 12.101 million tonnes, found IAI data.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/world-alumina-monthly-production-records-a-3-rise-to-11-728-mt-but-daily-output-shrinks-to-378-300-tonnes-80827

In Africa & Asia (ex-China), alumina production during May 2022 extended growth by 2.63 per cent month-on-month to stand at 1.210 million tonnes, according to the International Aluminium Institute. In April 2022, alumina output in the region was 1.179 million tonnes after seeing a rise of 8.36 per cent from 1.088 million tonnes in March.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/alumina-production-in-africa-asia-ex-china-continues-to-reflect-a-monthly-hike-of-2-6-during-may22-80841