In January 2026, SMM hydrometallurgy intermediate products imports reached 172,151 mt in physical content, up 5% MoM. In February 2026, SMM hydrometallurgy intermediate products imports reached 124,548 mt in physical content, down 28% MoM.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Guinea, the world’s largest bauxite producer, is in discussions with miners to introduce controls on the volume of bauxite ore supplied to the market in order to protect prices. Mines and Geology Minister Bouna Sylla said the government is considering measures to regulate bauxite production and prevent a sharp price slump, which would hurt company revenues and government tax income. If implemented, Guinea would join the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe in restricting exports of key minerals, most of which are currently destined for China.

Rusal's financial report showed that, affected by its capacity optimization plan, full-year 2025 primary aluminum production fell 1.9% YoY to 3.918 million mt (2024: 3.992 million mt). Alumina production, meanwhile, rose 6.7% YoY to 6.858 million mt. In addition, benefiting from the Guinea expansion project and increased equity interests in refineries in China and India, bauxite production increased 16.2% YoY to 18.453 million mt.

Recently, at the alumina project site of the Guinea Aluminum Development Project (Phase II), as the inlet valve of the CMST oil depot was successfully opened following BV inspection, three brand-new 60,000-liter diesel storage tanks were officially put into use, marking a key breakthrough in the project’s capacity for independent energy security. Since construction of the alumina project under the Guinea Aluminum Development Project (Phase II) began in October 2025, unstable diesel supply had become a critical bottleneck constraining faster progress in project construction. In the face of severe challenges, the Guinea company regarded diesel as a “survival resource,” elevated supply security to a strategic priority, acted swiftly and proactively。

Affected by the supply-demand relationship, MHP and high-grade nickel matte nickel prices rose this week

As of now, Indonesia’s MHP nickel FOB price was $15,379/mt Ni, and Indonesia’s MHP cobalt FOB price was $49,879/mt Co. MHP payables (against the SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate index) were 86.5-87, and the MHP cobalt element payable indicator (against SMM refined cobalt (Rotterdam warehouse)) was 91. Indonesia’s high-grade nickel matte FOB price was $15,736/mt Ni.