NSW aluminium plant to close, cut 344 jobs

Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro was considering closing its Kurri Kurri plant in New South Wales, cutting some 344 jobs. In a statement on Wednesday, executive VP for the primary metals business, Hilde Merete Aasheim said that the Kurri...

Riding out commodity uncertainty, producers limit output, close plants

While mining firms enjoyed massive profits last year as commodity and metals prices remained elevated in the first half of 2011, the US debt downgrade in August and the eurozone’s wobbles have brought about fresh fears.

Indian consortium to bid for Afghan copper reserves

A consortium of Indian metal companies were readying to bid for the development of copper mines in Afghanistan, as the Afghan government readied to invite tenders during February/March 2012. This comes close on the heels of Indian consortium...

Alcoa boosts second-quarter revenue 27%

Bauxite miner and aluminium producer Alcoa has reported a 27% increase in revenue for the second quarter ended June, rising to $6.6-billion. Income from continuing operations increased by 138% year-on-year to $326-million. This was also a 6%...

Rio CEO Albanese says 'difficult to gauge' effects of Japan, Mid East

It is “difficult to guage” the implications of the recent disasters in Japan and turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa for commodity markets, Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese said on Wednesday. Commodity prices will likely remain volatile,...

Alumina back in the black with $35m profit

ASX-listed bauxite miner and aluminium producer Alumina on Thursday reported a return to profitability for the 2010 financial year, posting a net profit of $35-million. This was compared with an after-tax loss of $24-million on the previous...

Alcoa agrees $7,5bn energy, smelting deals with China Power

Global aluminium producer Alcoa has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) under which the parties would collaborate on a range of aluminium and energy products worth more than $7,5-billion....

Alcoa posts $21bn revenue in 2010

US-based aluminium producer Alcoa on Tuesday reported revenue of $21-billion for the 2010 financial year, on the back of a record fourth quarter. The $21-billion revenue compared with the $18,4-billion recorded in 2009, with income from...

Alcoa raises aluminium demand outlook

US-based aluminium producer Alcoa has increased its 2010 global consumption forecast to 13%, up from the previously reported 12%, as markets strengthen. “In countries such as China, Brazil, India and Russia, more and more people are moving into...

Dubal will buy stake in Vale alumina refinery

Brazilian resources group Companhia Vale do Rio Doce has entered into a share purchase agreement with Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal), which will buy a stake in Vale's Companhia de Alumina de Pará (CAP). If the transaction, which is...

Alcoa agrees on 'strategic cooperation' with Chinese province

NYSE-listed aluminium producer Alcoa has formed a strategic cooperation agreement with the government of China's Henan province, the firm announced on Thursday. Alcoa, which said earlier in the day it would sell its stake in Rio Tinto to partner...

The future of mining in Africa

The mining industry as a whole has experienced heavy shutdowns, project delays and cutbacks, especially in the last two months. This is largely attributed to the global financial crisis which has resulted in a beleaguered predicament for...