AlCircle: Latest alumina news update

Tajikistan, Azerbaijan discuss alumina-for-aluminium trade partnership

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:30:00 +0530

Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are discussing a potential industrial cooperation arrangement under which Tajikistan would import alumina from Azerbaijan while supplying aluminium to the Azerbaijani market, according to Tajikistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ilhom Abdurakhmon.

The proposal was discussed during the latest meeting of the Azerbaijan-Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Baku. During the meeting, both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the aluminium sector.

Tajikistan is ready to purchase alumina from Azerbaijan to support its aluminium production industry, while Azerbaijan's growing demand for aluminium could provide an export market for Tajik producers. Ambassador Abdurakhmon said favourable logistics and market conditions could support aluminium exports to Azerbaijan in the near future. He also noted that although Azerbaijan has its own aluminium production facilities, it continues to import aluminium.

Tajik Aluminium Company (TALCO) and Azeraluminium have maintained a cooperation agreement for several years and are continuing discussions on new areas of cooperation as global aluminium prices remain high.

The possible modernisation and restart of Azerbaijan's Ganja Alumina Plant is an important part of the discussions. If the plant resumes operations, Tajikistan could purchase alumina from Azerbaijan, linking the alumina supply with Tajikistan's aluminium production.

Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations

Ambassador Abdurakhmon said any agreement would depend on the commercial assessments of the companies involved, including transportation costs and overall profitability. If the proposal moves forward, it could increase industrial cooperation between Baku and Dushanbe and support aluminium trade between the two countries.

EU alumina exports to Russia come under fresh scrutiny from Belarus opposition leader

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:30:00 +0530

After Estonia’s call for Aughinish Alumina export sanctions on Russia, Belarus has joined the discussion with the European Union (EU). Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has urged the EU to halt alumina exports to Russia, arguing that the materials support industrial and military production.

Speaking at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Tsikhanouskaya appreciated the investigation undertaken by The Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, claiming that alumina produced at the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Co Limerick, Ireland, may have entered Russian supply chains connected to military applications.

She stated that the EU should continue closing sanction loopholes that could provide economic or industrial support to Russia.

"The European Union wants to close all loopholes, and they want to deprive this regime of possible resources," she said, emphasising that the supply of raw materials feeding into Russian military development should be curbed.

Tsikhanouskaya added that Europe should prioritise security and democratic values over commercial interests as the conflict continues.

Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations

What is Belarus' stance in the conflict?

The opposition leader has been living in exile in Lithuania since the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. She argued that President Alexander Lukashenko should face accountability for allowing Russia's military campaign into Belarusian territory for the conflict.

Tsikhanouskaya warned that Belarus could again provide infrastructure and logistical support should the conflict escalate further. However, she suggested public sentiment within Belarus remains strongly opposed to direct involvement in the conflict.

Democracy, sanctions, and EU support

According to Tsikhanouskaya, the outcome of the conflict has great implications for Belarus as well as the other neighbouring nations, calling for greater international attention to Belarus' future role within Europe's security framework.

Tsikhanouskaya expressed confidence that the European Union would maintain its sanctions policy despite attempts by Minsk to secure concessions.

"I'm sure Europe will stay strong and principled in their position," she said, adding that a firm European stance would help support democratic reforms in Belarus.

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the ALuminium LeaderSpeak 2026

The issue has been active since March, and, since the submission of the investigation report, the EU has been facing an intensified push to halt Aughinish Alumina exports to Russia.

The latest update follows Ireland’s Minister of State, Seán Canney, extending his support for potential EU sanctions, provided the ongoing investigation proves that the Russia-bound alumina shipments are being used for military purposes.

China alumina trade normalises after April's Middle East-driven surge, but sanctions reshape export map

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:10:00 +0530

Based on data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), China imported 438,500 tonnes of alumina in May 2026, marking a month-on-month decrease of 28.11 per cent but a staggering year-on-year surge of 549.63 per cent.

Exports for the month stood at 283,300 tonnes, down 45.19 per cent from the previous month but up 36.33 per cent compared to the same period last year. Consequently, the net import volume reached 155,200 tonnes, representing a sharp rebound of 66.70 per cent month-on-month while recording a year-on-year decline of 210.62 per cent.

Looking at the broader January-to-May period, cumulative imports soared to 1.828 million tonnes, a massive increase of 994.74 per cent year-on-year, while cumulative exports totalled 1.3437 million tonnes, up 14.62 per cent. The cumulative net import volume for the first five months stood at 484,600 tonnes, reflecting a year-on-year rise of 148.20 per cent.

The decline in May imports represents a natural correction following the exceptional volumes recorded in April. An analysis of origins reveals that supply was primarily sourced from Australia, Indonesia, and India.

The elevated levels seen in the prior month were largely attributed to Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions and disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which forced a significant volume of Australian and Indonesian cargoes originally destined for the Middle East to be diverted to China. By May, this pulse of arrivals had subsided.

Specifically, imports from Australia, traditionally China's largest supplier, plummeted by half to 278,300 tonnes. This sharp contraction was driven by two main factors: firstly, the reallocation of Australian cargoes back to higher-priced markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook

Secondly, anticipation of tightening bauxite exports from Guinea pushed up FOB prices in Western Australia, and coupled with volatile ocean freight rates, these factors narrowed import arbitrage margins or even briefly closed them, dampening traders' enthusiasm for pricing new cargoes.

On the export side, the flow of alumina continued to be directed toward Russia, Oman, the UAE, and other nations, maintaining a distinct "Russia plus Middle East" dual-market structure.

Russia remains the top destination, as RUSAL continues to face difficulties securing supplies from traditional Western channels due to ongoing sanctions, forcing it to rely on normalised procurement through long-term trade agreements with China.

Meanwhile, partial production halts at smelters across the Middle East due to geopolitical instability have increased the region's dependence on external raw materials. Chinese enterprises establish stable supply relationships by utilising alternative logistics routes, such as routing shipments through the Port of Sohar in Oman, thereby circumventing the transit risks associated with the Strait of Hormuz.

Note: This news is published under a content and exchange agreement with Mysteel

Why Chalco's Guangxi Huayin refinery remains central to its aluminium business

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:25:00 +0530

Every aluminium smelter depends on a steady supply of alumina, and securing that supply begins at refineries such as Guangxi Huayin in southern China. Operated by Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco), the facility converts imported and domestic bauxite into smelter-grade alumina, supplying both the company's own smelting network and external customers along the southern Chinese coast.

For most buyers, the end product is simply a white powder arriving in bulk shipments. Behind that powder, however, sits a refining operation that has become an important part of Chalco's supply chain in a region where high-quality bauxite remains in limited supply.

Bauxite entering Guangxi Huayin passes through the Bayer process before emerging as alumina suitable for aluminium production. Digestion tanks, thick pipe networks and large settling ponds dominate the site, reflecting the scale of an operation built to serve both internal demand and the wider market.

Chinese industry media have identified Guangxi Huayin as one of several large alumina bases developed by Chalco in Guangxi and Shanxi. The facilities were established around long-term bauxite supply agreements and designed to operate at multi-million-ton annual capacities.

Location is part of the equation. Access to ports and major bauxite transportation routes allows the refinery to keep raw materials moving while limiting logistics costs. It also gives Chalco greater room to adjust its bauxite mix when conditions in seaborne markets change.

Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook

Maintaining consistency from refinery to smelter

Running an alumina refinery is not simply a matter of maintaining throughput. Smelters require alumina that meets strict specifications for soda content, moisture and particle size, otherwise problems can quickly appear further down the chain. Off-spec material can result in unstable pots, higher energy consumption and potential impacts on metal quality.

That is why engineers spend considerable time adjusting caustic concentrations and precipitation conditions rather than chasing production records alone. Consistency tends to matter more than experimentation when the objective is keeping smelters operating smoothly. Laboratory testing and process-control systems remain a significant part of day-to-day operations for the same reason.

The industry's environmental challenges are present here as well. Alumina refining consumes large amounts of energy and produces red mud, placing facilities such as Guangxi Huayin under increasing pressure as China pushes heavy industry toward cleaner production practices.

Scrubbers, waste-heat recovery systems and tighter tailings-management measures have become part of that response. Chalco has also pointed in policy-related documents to efforts across its major alumina operations to increase the use of cleaner energy sources and expand red-mud utilisation, including its use in construction materials.

Why the refinery matters beyond production

The refinery's contribution can also be seen in the economics of the business. Refining margins are heavily influenced by bauxite costs, electricity tariffs and regional demand trends, meaning performance can change quickly as market conditions shift.

During periods of strong aluminium prices, operations with secure ore supplies and efficient energy arrangements can generate substantial returns. When the market moves in the opposite direction, attention tends to turn to cost savings, supply-contract discussions and process improvements that can be measured in small increments rather than major changes.

Guangxi Huayin's role begins with turning bauxite into alumina, but the decisions made there influence far more than production volumes. Costs, logistics, product quality and environmental performance all meet at the refinery before the material ever reaches a smelter.

Explore our e-magazine ALuminium LeaderSpeak 2026 for the latest industry insights and trends.

Aughinish Alumina red mud expansion stalled after Irish High Court ruling

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0530

The Irish High Court has overturned the approval granted to Aughinish Alumina’s expansion plan for its Bauxite Residue Disposal Area (BRDA) by 8 million cubic metres. Citing review gaps, the court sent the red mud project back to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) for fresh consideration.

The proposal would have allowed the largest alumina refinery in Europe, in County Limerick, to increase the capacity of its bauxite residue or red mud storage facility. The capacity ramp-up would have added another 22,500 cubic metres of salt cake, enabling continued refinery operations on the Shannon Estuary until 2039.

The decision follows a successful judicial review brought by the Limerick-based Environmental Trust Ireland (ETI), which expressed doubt over ACP's approval issued in March 2025.

Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations

Fresh review recommended

In a ruling delivered by Mr Justice David Holland, the court did not conclude that the proposed development posed unacceptable environmental risks. Instead, the judge found that additional assessment was required before a lawful planning decision could be made.

The judge stated: “The judgment does not find that the proposed development poses unacceptable risk – as to either flood risk or risk of seepage of alkaline effluent through its base.”

He added that these matters remain for the planning authority to determine, but that “further and better consideration of those issues is required to inform a lawful decision whether the proposed development should be permitted.”

Concerns over flood risk and seepage

The proposed expansion would increase the height of sections of the BRDA by up to 12 metres. Aughinish Alumina already operates two existing phases of the residue storage area.

The court found that ACP did not adequately consider provisions contained within the Limerick County Development Plan, particularly its Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA).

A second ground for quashing the permission was based on concerns over seepage. The court remained doubtful over ACP's conclusion that alkaline seepage through the facility's base would remain insignificant throughout the operational life of the project.

The Cappagh Farmers Support Group, a farmers' association, also raised concern about the project, pointing out that adding another 8 million cubic metres of residue could pressurise existing embankment walls constructed from crushed rock.

The group also mentioned the potential implications for farming activities, biodiversity, and both human and animal health.

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the ALuminium LeaderSpeak 2026

Second setback for the project

The court ruling marks the second time the High Court has overturned planning permission for the BRDA expansion.

ACP had initially approved the project in October 2024 but later withdrew the decision after discovering the inspector's report recommending approval had been generated via an artificial intelligence (AI) software. As a result, both electronic and hard-copy versions of the report were discarded.

A revised approval was issued in March 2025, which has now also been set aside by the court.

Aughinish Alumina has been pursuing planning approval for the residue storage expansion for nearly five years, having first submitted the proposal directly to ACP in 2021.

The Irish High Court has provisionally indicated that ETI should recover its costs, with the matter scheduled to reappear before the court on July 6.

The verdict has come at a time when Aughinish Alumina is facing and intensified push for halting Aughinish Alumina exports to Russia. The latest update follows Ireland’s Minister of State, Seán Canney, extending his support for potential EU sanctions, provided the ongoing investigation proves the Russia-bound alumina shipments being used in military purposes is legitimate.

Andromeda to use Great White Kaolin for HPA development, targets 4N alumina samples in 2026

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:53:00 +0530

Andromeda Metals has started commissioning its high-purity alumina (HPA) pilot plant. It marks another step towards commercial production using Great White kaolin and its proprietary processing technology.

The pilot plant will allow the company to test continuous production rather than batch processing and is to operate through the third quarter of 2026. The company plans to use the program for future feasibility work and project development.

Andromeda plans to produce commercial-grade 4N HPA samples in the second half of 2026. These samples will be sent to potential customers for qualification testing, an important stage before commercial supply agreements can be secured.

The pilot plant follows earlier laboratory work in which the company produced HPA with a purity level of 99.9985 per cent. A scoping study completed in 2025 also indicated favourable project economics and competitive production costs.

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The test program will also examine the potential recovery of by-products, including amorphous silica and possibly gallium. Neither material was included in the previous economic assessment, meaning they could provide additional revenue opportunities if commercial uses are confirmed.

Andromeda is developing the project around its Great White kaolin deposit, with the aim of producing high-purity alumina for specialist applications. The company is seeking to establish a supply chain that is separate from traditional aluminium production routes.

The pilot plant campaign is expected to provide key technical and operational data as Andromeda progresses towards commercial production and customer qualification activities planned for late 2026.

WEEKLY: China alumina prices edge up on supply disruptions despite ample stocks

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:20:00 +0530

For the week of June 15-22, domestic alumina spot prices edged higher, with market trading activity remaining relatively steady. According to MySteel’s price assessment, the weighted national average spot price for smelter-grade alumina (minimum purity 98.6 per cent) stood at RMB 2,755 per tonne on June 22, up from RMB 2,731 per tonne at the start of the period.

On the supply side, a smelter in Shanxi recently halted feeding at its digestion stage due to red mud disposal issues. Currently, only limited inventory remains in the system and storage silos. The refinery is currently drawing down stocks to ensure supply to its captive downstream operations. This situation has boosted inquiry and purchasing activity from downstream consumers and traders. Coupled with high-level fluctuations in futures prices, this has bolstered sellers' resolve to hold firm on offers. Consequently, transaction prices have diverged significantly, while overall trading activity remained weak.

On the demand side, MySteel’s data show that domestic primary aluminium smelters consumed approximately 1.6692 million tonnes of alumina last week, up by 600 tonnes from the previous week. Recent domestic aluminium operating capacity stands at around 45.24 million tonnes per year, running steadily across regions, with some downstream players still facing rigid restocking needs.

Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook

Last week, China's total traders' alumina inventory reached 6.238 million tonnes, up 14,000 tonnes week-on-week. Earlier in Guangxi, an unplanned outage at a local refinery triggered north-to-south cargo transfers to secure feedstock supply for downstream smelters. However, subsequent output cuts in northern producing areas disrupted some long-term contract deliveries and tightened spot availability. Nevertheless, substantial volumes remain stored at rail stations and delivery warehouses, with a large volume of exchange warrants set to expire in June, leading to heightened willingness among futures-spot traders to quote and offload stock.

In summary, another unexpected production halt due to force majeure prompted some holders to raise their offer levels. Downstream buyers, assessing their own inventory positions, carried out selective restocking. In the south, new capacity additions and output cuts coexisted, leaving the regional market in short-term tight balance, with overall spot availability tightening and sellers gaining stronger bargaining power. As the price gap between northern and southern China widens, cross-regional flows are expected to become more frequent.

Additionally, three major enterprises have experienced operational disruptions since the start of the year, leading to reduced efficiency in fulfilling long-term contracts, further tightening supply conditions in the short term. However, with the expiration of a large number of warrants and ongoing uncertainties regarding bauxite import policies, the market remains locked in intense negotiations between buyers and sellers. Prices this week are expected to remain stable with a firm undertone, likely ranging between RMB 2,750-2,850 per tonne.

Note: This article has been issued by MySteel and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.

Dual rise in raw material costs, elevated expenses, aluminium fluoride price stalemate continues

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 02:30:00 +0530

This week, trading sentiment weakened somewhat for domestic aluminium fluoride enterprises, with prices running steady. As of now, SMM’s aluminium fluoride reference price is RMB 11,280-11,700 per tonne; cryolite prices also held steady, with SMM’s reference price at RMB 7,000-8,500 per tonne.

Raw material side, the 97 per cent fluorite wet powder market was largely stable, with mainstream delivery-to-factory prices at RMB 3,100-3,400 per tonne, and notable price spreads by region. Supply side, mine operating rates in the north continued to recover, and Mongolian imports gradually arrived at ports, resulting in a looser supply-demand pattern; however, a coal mine accident in Shanxi triggered expectations of stricter mine safety and environmental oversight, which may cause periodic disruptions to some mines’ production going forward, leaving a wait-and-see sentiment on the supply side.

Demand side remained subdued—downstream hydrofluoric acid enterprises, constrained by insufficient operating rates at refrigerant and fluoropolymer terminals, mainly made just-in-time procurement, with limited large-order follow-through. Consequently, fluorite prices are likely to stay weak in the near term.

Meanwhile, the aluminium hydroxide market firmed slightly, with SMM’s weighted average price at RMB 1,683 per tonne, up 1.2 per cent W-o-W; the sulphuric acid market hovered at highs, as sulphur cost support and production cuts for maintenance tightened supply in some regions, but cautious demand during the phosphate fertiliser off-season capped upside room, while LFP and fine chemicals provided just-in-time demand support.

Raw material side, both aluminium hydroxide and sulphuric acid strengthened, further lifting overall production costs, yet costs could not be effectively passed downstream, putting the industry as a whole under notable pressure.

Supply side, a pattern of ‘rigidly high costs—persistent profit pressure—low operating rates’ persisted, with the industry operating rate holding around 40 per cent, limiting effective incremental supply. Demand side, downstream operating aluminium capacity remained high and stable, providing rigid support, but aluminium smelters focused on just-in-time restocking and pushing for lower prices, adopting a wait-and-see stance without releasing additional demand for the time being.

On balance, the aluminium fluoride market currently lacks directional drivers, caught in a tug-of-war stalemate between upstream and downstream, with transactions limited to just-in-time procurement, and prices expected to largely stay steady in the near term, leaving limited room for wild swings. Going forward, close attention should be paid to raw material cost-side dynamics and marginal changes in the procurement pace of downstream aluminium enterprises.

Note: This article has been issued by SMM and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.

The Pitfield titanium project flowsheet shows potential cost savings with alumina as a by-product

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:37:00 +0530

Empire Metals has designed a new process flowsheet for its Pitfield titanium project and plans to produce alumina as a co-product through processing.

Alumina, a hard, durable chemical compound extracted primarily from bauxite ore and heavily used as a primary material for smelting aluminium metal. Previously, Empire Metals explained that its mining body contains several minerals apart from titanium minerals. Among those is an alumina clay mineral.

Managing Director of the company, Shaun Bunn, said that they want to reject that concentration from the front end of the plant through flotation because it has a tendency to dilute the titanium concentrate. But this is a very natural carryover during the process. He said, “Rather than continue to try and reject it, we can actually extract the aluminium from that material…and make a very high-grade alumina oxide product up to nearly 99 per cent pure.”

The flowsheet is based on conventional, proven technologies. Located near the mines, the processing facility does not have to rely on the sulfate ilmenite route, as the Pitfield titanium ore has no ilmenite content (an acid-consuming mineral). This is a massive advantage, as it can cut the importing costs of ilmenite feedstock. The process will be operating at lower temperatures, resulting in decreased energy requirements. Besides these, the project faces a “vastly smaller” iron residue problem, leading to much lower expenses for tailings facilities.

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Bunn said the traditional titanium ilmenite industry can not produce an alumina byproduct. But Empire Metals surely can “add another arrow to the bow” without the project being reliant on economic viability.

Pitfield is Empire Metals’ main titanium project and the cornerstone of its growth plan. Situated in Western Australia, it contains a large, globally important titanium mineral system. The mineralisation begins at or near the surface and spreads over a wide area inside a top-tier mining jurisdiction.

Greenland Mines expands alumina and critical minerals strategy with stake in AnorTech

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:16:00 +0530

Greenland Mines will fortify its foothold in the critical minerals segment of the economy through a strategic investment in the mineral-focused technology and resource development company, AnorTech Inc., for an initial equity stake of 9.9 per cent. Under the terms of this agreement, Greenland Mines will also have an option to increase its ownership in AnorTech to no more than 19.9 per cent over the next six months. This action bolsters Greenland's determination to create a comprehensive supply chain for critical materials.

The investment supports Greenland Mines’ North Atlantic Critical Metals Corridor strategy, an initiative designed to connect Greenland’s abundant mineral resources with allied industrial and processing hubs. Through the partnership, the company gains exposure to innovative processing technologies capable of producing sustainable alumina, high-purity alumina, CO2-free cement and other industrial products derived from AnorTech’s Gronne Bjerg anorthosite project in Greenland.

Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations

The transaction marks an important step in Greenland Mines’ evolution from a primarily upstream resource developer toward participation in the midstream segment of the critical minerals value chain. AnorTech is advancing a proprietary processing technology that enables the production of smelter-grade alumina and high-purity alumina from anorthosite while eliminating conventional bauxite residue tailings, addressing a significant environmental challenge associated with traditional alumina production.

The share exchange agreement is expected to close on or before June 30, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

Greenland Mines currently operates through two business divisions. Its Mining division is focused on advancing the Skaergaard Project in southeast Greenland and, subject to the completion of a previously announced transaction, the Sarfartoq neodymium-praseodymium (Nd-Pr) rare earth project in southwest Greenland. The company’s Biotech division includes Klotho’s KLTO-202 programme targeting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Together, these assets support Greenland Mines’ strategy of developing a diversified platform with exposure to rare earth elements, precious metals and selected processing opportunities.

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The investment highlights the increasing importance of sustainable processing technologies in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals required for clean energy systems, electric vehicles and defence applications. By combining resource development with advanced processing solutions, Greenland Mines aims to strengthen supply chain resilience across allied markets.