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Aluminium

Aluminium is a lightweight, silvery-white metal and the most abundant metallic element in the Earth's crust, widely used across transport, construction, packaging and electrical applications. The metal is prized for its low density, high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance and excellent conductivity. Primary aluminium is produced by smelting alumina (refined from bauxite ore) in an energy-intensive electrolytic process, making access to affordable electricity a key competitive factor for smelters. Major producing regions include China, the Middle East, Russia, Canada and Australia, while significant consumption centres span Asia, Europe and North America. The industry is organised around integrated producers that mine bauxite, refine alumina and smelt metal, as well as downstream fabricators that roll, extrude and cast semi-finished products. Benchmark pricing is set on the London Metal Exchange, with regional premiums reflecting freight, supply tightness and trade flows. Aluminium's recyclability without loss of properties underpins a substantial secondary market, reducing the carbon footprint of supply. Demand is driven by lightweighting trends in automotive and aerospace, urbanisation in emerging markets, and the energy transition's need for transmission cable and renewable-energy components. Environmental pressures are prompting smelters to shift toward low-carbon power and adopt inert-anode technologies. The sector faces cyclical swings in capacity utilisation, geopolitical trade restrictions and volatility in energy costs, all of which shape investment and operating decisions.

Aluminium News


Metpac-SA Study Highlights Practical Path To Safer Aerosol Recycling In SA
Updated 5 hours ago

Aluminium and steel aerosol cans are fully recyclable, provided they are handled correctly and enter an appropriate recovery stream. New research by MetPac-SA, the country's Producer Responsibility... 


Canadian Minister for US Trade Dominic LeBlanc
Canadian Minister says Canada, US far apart on draft trade deal, source says
17th August 2026 By: Reuters

Canada and the US are still far from reaching a draft trade deal despite regular meetings, Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian Minister responsible for trade with the US, told an advisory committee on... 


Aluminium bars
Trump supporters imperil $4bn aluminium plant central to his industrial push
14th August 2026 By: Bloomberg

A cow wearing a gas mask is the first sign something may be amiss in Inola, Oklahoma. “Protect Our Farms. #StopTheInolaSmelter,” reads the text below the image, splashed across a billboard... 


An image of copper
BMI expects metals complex performance to remain strong
14th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The metals complex has remained well-supported so far this month, extending the upward momentum from late June, BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, points out. It explains that this is underpinned by a... 


Aluminium
Norsk Hydro's Alunorte ramps up production after deal with gas supplier
14th August 2026 By: Reuters

Norsk Hydro's Alunorte refinery in Brazil has started ramping up alumina production to full capacity after reaching a temporary agreement with its gas supplier, the Norwegian company said on... 


Aluminium
STG buys large amount of aluminium from Radiant World, sources say
14th August 2026 By: Reuters

STG, a trading company funded by principals of the US hedge fund Squarepoint, has bought a large amount of aluminium from Radiant World as the commodity trading house sells off inventory to raise... 


Aluminium
Aluminium on thin ice as LME stocks hit 36-year low, Reuters says
14th August 2026 By: Reuters

London Metal Exchange (LME) stocks of aluminium have slumped to their lowest level since 1990, attesting to the supply-chain dislocation caused by the Iran war. Gulf production of primary... 


Climate compliance has just stopped being a paperwork exercise
Climate compliance has just stopped being a paperwork exercise
13th August 2026

(Virtual Showroom) For the past decade, climate compliance in South African industry has been seen as a box-ticking exercise with only the Tier 1 companies going above and beyond what is required... 


Rio Tinto's Tomago smelter
Australia commits $1.76 billion to keep Rio Tinto aluminium smelter open
13th August 2026 By: Reuters

Australia on Thursday said it would provide A$2.5-billion ($1.76-billion) to help keep global miner Rio Tinto's Tomago aluminium smelter, the country's largest power user, open beyond 2028, as it... 


EGA's Al Taweelah aluminium smelter
EGA's Al Taweelah aluminium smelter running at 18%, expects full return in early 2027
12th August 2026 By: Reuters

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) said on Wednesday its Al Taweelah smelter was operating at 18% of capacity and is expected to return to prior output levels in early 2027. An Iranian strike in... 


Tomago smelter
Rio Tinto aluminium smelter to get Australian gov bailout
12th August 2026 By: Bloomberg

The owners of Australia’s biggest aluminum smelter, including Rio Tinto Group, are set to receive a government bailout to keep the plant operating as it grapples with high energy costs, according... 


Bauxite being loaded onto a ship at a Guinea port
Guinea picks Glencore as offtaker for State-owned bauxite miner
7th August 2026 By: Bloomberg

Guinea picked Glencore as offtaker to buy bauxite produced by State-owned Nimba Mining Co, as the West African nation looks to manage more closely export flows of the aluminum feedstock. Glencore... 


An image of the A25 bale-out furnace
Furnace’s melting performance boosts metalworking processes
7th August 2026

Bale-out furnaces are essential in foundries and metalworking industries, such as automotive, electronics and jewellery, owing to their high efficiency, precise temperature control and robust... 


Critical minerals
Mining sector not as badly affected by Middle East conflict as first thought, but risks remain
4th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Following the release of its mid-year review, global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) has highlighted how contained the damage has been in the global mining and metals markets amid... 


Arun Misra
Indian miner Vedanta names Arun Misra as CEO, Q1 profit jumps
30th July 2026 By: Reuters

Indian metals-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta on Thursday named Arun Misra as its CEO for a one-year term starting August 1, while also reporting a 72% jump in first-quarter profit. Misra currently... 


Rio Tinto safety hat
Rio Tinto posts highest H1 earnings in four years as data centre boom boosts copper
29th July 2026 By: Reuters

Global diversified miner Rio Tinto posted its highest half-year underlying earnings in four years on Wednesday as performance from its copper and aluminium units tied to energy demand outshone... 


Rare earth mineral samples
Indonesia seeks to resolve mineral export bottlenecks caused by rare earth content
27th July 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia's presidential staff office has called for cooperation between government agencies, law enforcement officials and industry to resolve mineral shipment bottlenecks caused by a lack of... 


Aluminium bar
LME aluminium stocks fall to lowest this century
27th July 2026 By: Reuters

Aluminium stocks on the London Metal Exchange have slumped to their lowest this century as supply constraints in the war-hit Middle East leave consumers drawing down inventories to secure metal.... 


Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau
SA signals intent to prohibit goods produced by forced labour after new 12.5% US tariff
27th July 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau reports that government will publish a Gazette notice requesting public comments on South Africa’s intent to issue regulations to prohibit goods... 


'Red mud' alumina tailings
Canada's Enervoxa plans India rare earths project, may tie up with Vedanta, NALCO
24th July 2026 By: Reuters

Canadian climate technology developer Enervoxa plans talks with India's Vedanta, Hindalco Industries and State-run NALCO as it looks to set up a processing plant in the country to extract rare... 


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