Regions

  • China’s Primary Aluminium Imports See Mixed Trends in November

    BY John Davis
    According to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, primary aluminium imports into China fell by 13.8% in November 2024 compared to October. However, on an annual basis, imports rose by 22.5%. The Shanghai Stock Exchange (SMM) reported that China imported 150.7 thousand tonnes of primary aluminium in November,...
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  • China’s Zinc Concentrate Imports Surge in November 2024

    BY Lara Browne
    China’s imports of zinc concentrate reached 455.9 thousand tonnes in November 2024, marking a 37.73% month-on-month increase and a 45.01% rise compared to the same period last year. From January to November, total zinc concentrate imports amounted to 3.6398 million tonnes, reflecting a 14.98% year-on-year decline. In November, the top suppliers of zinc concentrate to...
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  • Rusal to Begin Design of $4 Billion Alumina Refinery in Leningrad Region

    BY Lars Jensen
    Rusal is set to commence the design phase for a major alumina refinery in the Lomonosov district of Russia’s Leningrad region. The project includes surveying land for a port terminal and road infrastructure, paving the way for the construction of the Leningrad Alumina Plant (LAP). In 2022, Rusal established LLC ‘Leningrad Alumina Plant’ with an...
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  • EGA Utilizes Green Loan for U.S. Aluminium Recycling Firm Acquisition

    BY John Davis
    Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, has leveraged a green loan facility to acquire a majority stake in Spectro Alloys, a U.S.-based aluminium recycling company. The loan, supported by multiple international banks, enables EGA to access a larger liquidity pool to fund low-carbon projects while optimizing borrowing costs. In September...
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  • China’s Copper Smelters Set Lower Processing Charges for Q1 2025

    BY John Davis
    China’s leading copper smelters have agreed on reduced price guidance for copper concentrate processing and refining charges (TC/RCs) for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a continued shortage of copper concentrates. The new rates, agreed upon at a meeting of the China Smelters Purchase Team in Shanghai, are set at $25 per metric ton and...
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  • China’s Tin Ore Imports Drop Sharply in November

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    China’s tin ore imports totaled 12,000 tonnes in November 2024, equivalent to approximately 5,021 tonnes of tin in metal terms. This marked a 19.18% month-on-month decline and a 56.46% drop compared to the same period last year. In terms of metal content, November imports decreased by 23 tonnes from October. From January to November, total...
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  • India and Kazakhstan Partner to Establish Titanium Slag Plant

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    In December 2024, the India Times reported that Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Combine (UKTMK) signed an agreement with Indian Rare Earth Limited (IREL) to create a joint venture in India. The new facility will process ilmenite, sourced from Odisha with low titanium oxide (TiO2) content, into titanium slag, a material highly sought after in the...
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  • Hyundai Mobis Unveils Advanced Cooling Technology for EV Batteries

    BY John Davis
    On December 17, 2023, Hyundai Mobis, the automotive parts arm of Hyundai Motor Group, announced its readiness to commercialize a cutting-edge battery cell cooling material. This innovation, known as the “Pulsating Heat Pipe,” aims to improve both the charging efficiency and safety of electric vehicles (EVs). The Pulsating Heat Pipe system is constructed from aluminium...
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  • Ganfeng Lithium Launches Major Processing Plant in Mali Amid Challenges

    BY Lara Browne
    China’s Ganfeng Lithium has officially commenced operations at its Goulamina lithium mine in Mali, overcoming security concerns, a stringent new mining code, and a global lithium supply glut. Located in the southern Bougouni region, the mine’s first phase began production in mid-December 2024, with an annual capacity of 506,000 tonnes of lithium. The second phase...
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  • US Aluminium Can Recycling Rates Decline Amid Growing Sustainability Efforts

    BY John Davis
    Recent data from the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) reveal a decline in the recycling rate of aluminium beverage cans in the United States. In 2023, only 43% of aluminium cans shipped were recycled, a significant drop from the historical average of 52% since tracking began in 1990. While this rate remains...
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  • Lithium Americas and GM Finalize Joint Venture for Thacker Pass Project

    BY Lara Browne
    Lithium Americas has announced the completion of its joint venture (JV) with General Motors Holdings to fund, develop, construct, and operate the Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nevada. The project aims to supply battery-quality lithium carbonate for the North American critical minerals supply chain. Under the terms of the JV, Lithium Americas retains...
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  • China’s Aluminium Prices Decline Amid Weak Demand

    BY Lara Browne
    According to a survey by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), China’s primary aluminium prices and input costs have declined, reflecting muted demand for the commodities. Bauxite emerged as the only exception, with its domestic price remaining stable and its imported price increasing by $0.08 per tonne to $105.84 per tonne. A00 Aluminium Ingot Price On December...
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  • Codelco Seeks to Extend Gabriela Mistral Mine Life to 2055

    BY John Davis
    Chile’s state-owned copper producer Codelco has applied for an environmental permit to extend the life of its Gabriela Mistral mine by more than 25 years. The proposed $800 million project would push the current closure date from 2028 to at least 2055, ensuring continued production at the Antofagasta region mine, which has been operational since...
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  • Nornickel Aims to Expand Palladium Demand with Innovative Applications

    BY Lara Browne
    Nornickel, one of the world’s largest palladium producers, is working to broaden global demand for the metal by promoting innovative applications, addressing the anticipated decline in its use within internal combustion engine vehicles. The company, which produces more than 80 tonnes of palladium annually, foresees a long-term plateau in automotive industry demand—currently responsible for over...
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  • Rusal Seeks to Disrupt Nornickel’s Strategic Projects

    BY John Davis
    Rusal, Russia’s primary aluminum producer, has allegedly taken steps to disrupt several key investment projects by Nornickel, one of the world’s leading producers of non-ferrous and precious metals. According to a source close to Interros, Nornickel’s majority shareholder, Rusal’s actions have targeted initiatives critical to Nornickel’s growth and environmental goals. Among these is Nornickel’s ambitious...
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