Upstream aluminium recap: US bauxite imports increase in Q3, contributed by Turkey; Russian aluminium grows in LME warehouses
This week, the upstream aluminium industry has seen the release of several significant reports that have the potential to reshape market dynamics and improve operations across all sectors, including bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium. For instance, Boddington bauxite mine life to be extended, US crude and dried bauxite imports uptick in Q3 2024, China’s metallurgical grade alumina production sees a growth in November, Russia-origin aluminium share in LME-approved warehouses increases, and a dip in the United States’ Q3 primary aluminium production and scrap recovery.
The United States crude and dried bauxite imports continued to increase sequentially in the third quarter of 2024, driven by Turkey with a significantly increased supply of the ore, even higher than the same period of the previous year. According to the US Census Bureau Survey, the United States imported 553,000 tonnes of bauxite, extending the quarter-on-quarter growth.
The globally diversified mining and metals company South32 hopes that it will secure state approval for its Worsley Alumina's bauxite mine life extension project from Western Australia later in December 2024. The project will focus on extending the operational lifespan of the Boddington bauxite mine.
To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/boddington-bauxite-mine-life-to-be-extended-south32-nears-approval-milestones-112800
China’s metallurgical-grade alumina production continued to grow in November 2024, driven by expanded capacity. As of December 6, China’s metallurgical-grade alumina capacity stood at about 103.02 million tonnes. Month-on-month, alumina production grew by 0.71 per cent, and that on a year-on-year surged by 8.8 per cent.
A shipment of Chinese diesel locomotives was spotted at the Zhanghuabang cargo terminal in Shanghai Port on December 10, 2024, ready for dispatch to Conakry, the capital of Guinea. This batch of ten locomotives is specifically designed to handle heavy loads and accommodate various track types, catering to the unique transportation demands of bauxite mining operations.
To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/ten-diesel-locomotives-from-china-headed-to-guinea-for-bauxite-transportation-112787
The ASX-listed company, Arrow Minerals Limited, has published reports on further outstanding assay results from its maiden drilling program at the Niagara Bauxite Project in Guinea. Strategically located approximately 100 km from the multi-user Trans-Guinean Railway, the project offers significant logistical advantages for transportation and development.
The latest assays from 30 holes include:
-
BS000096, 4 metres at 50.3 per cent Al2O3, 3.1 per cent SiO2 from surface
-
BS000072, 4 metres at 46.6 per cent Al2O3, 0.7 per cent SiO2 from 1 metre
-
BS000076, 6 metres at 47.1 per cent Al2O3, 2.3 per cent SiO2 from surface
-
BS000075, 15 metres at 43.1 per cent Al2O3, 3.7 per cent SiO2 from surface
-
BS000086, 3 metres at 50.1 per cent Al2O3, 4.4 per cent SiO2 from surface
-
BS000090, 7 metres at 43.8 per cent Al2O3, 4.1 per cent SiO2 from surface
-
BS000094, 3 metres at 48.8 per cent Al2O3, 3.3 per cent SiO2 from surface
-
BS000097, 2 metres at 54.6 per cent Al2O3, 2.2 per cent SiO2 from surface
The UK's biggest wagon and tank container fleet, VTG Rail UK, which provides its customers with logistical expertise and innovative digital solutions, has secured a significant ten-year wagon leasing agreement with ALVANCE British Aluminium, a prominent player in the aluminium manufacturing industry. Commencing in January 2025, the partnership will see VTG leasing 20 JPA powder tank wagons to ALVANCE. The JPA powder tank wagons were originally explicitly designed for bulk transportation of powder cement.
South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, has announced the withdrawal of its production guidance for Mozal Aluminium in Mozambique due to escalating civil unrest in the region. The company cited rigorous roadway blockages that are restricting the transportation of raw materials to the facility, prompting the enactment of contingency plans to minimise operational impacts.
In November 2024, just ahead of the cancellation of the aluminium semis export tax rebate on December 1, overseas orders for Chinese extruded aluminium products surged, driving some billet enterprises to increase operations. Despite one less operating day in November than October, China’s domestic primary aluminium billet production per day remained stable at 49,000 tonnes.
In contrast to this, China’s primary aluminium ingot production destabilised in November 2024 (30 calendar days), recording a month-on-month downfall of 3.21 per cent, attributed to environment protection-related controls requiring production cuts during the dry season.
The proportion of Russia-origin aluminium in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses in November 2024 grew to 67 per cent, despite a drop in stocks, amounting to 254,500 tonnes.
To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/russia-origin-aluminium-share-in-lme-approved-warehouses-grows-in-november-to-67-112779
The United States' primary aluminium production slightly rebounded in the third quarter of 2024, standing at 167,600 tonnes versus 1670,000 tonnes in Q2. However, on a year-on-year basis, the output volume fell by 9.89 per cent from 186,000 tonnes.
The United States’ aluminium crude metal and alloy imports in August 2024 experienced a decline for the second consecutive month, following an increase last seen in June. As per the data revealed, the import volume in August plunged by 25,000 tonnes or 8.5 per cent month-on-month to 268,000 tonnes.
Emirates Global Aluminium broke ground this week to start constructing ten pilot reduction cells for EGA-EX, the next-generation smelting technology with more advanced features than EGA’s DX+ Ultra technology. The ten pilot cells will be constructed at Al Taweelah smelter to test and validate the technology, backed by advanced Internet of Things sensors and connections that will enable seamless real-time data gathering and application of Industry 4.0 to ensure increased production capacity by 22 per cent, improved current efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a report, the Indian Government may consider addressing the issue of inverted duty structure for some products in the aluminium sector in the forthcoming Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. The news came on December 11 after an official said the government would revisit the inverted duty structure to protect and boost domestic manufacturing.
This news is also available on our App 'AlCircle News' Android | iOS
A world class equipment designer specialized in developing innovative & effective solutions for heavy equipment, vehicles, and material handling systems
Leading supplier of rail mounted precision Furnace Charging Machines and Furnace Skimming Machines
Leading manufacturer of value-added equipment for the aluminum casthouse
Manufacturers & Supplier of Magnesium Metal and Aluminium Foundry Chemicals.
Your reliable partner in aluminum casthouse equipment and products
Fioscope provide air-cooled camera technology for high temperature applications
Business Leads
