[SMM Aluminum Express News] Arctial said its planned project targets annual aluminium production of ~610,000 tonnes, with a final investment decision (FID) expected in 2027, according to Chief Commercial Officer Maxime Vandersmissen.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Vedanta Limited reported its highest-ever production for FY 2025-26 (ended March 31, 2026). Alumina production rose 48% to a record 2.92 million tonnes. Aluminium output reached a record 2.46 million tonnes, up 1% from the previous year. The strong performance reflects improved operational efficiency and Vedanta’s growing position in the global aluminium value chain.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) estimates it will take up to 12 months to fully resume aluminium production at its Al Taweelah smelter in Abu Dhabi following the Iranian missile and drone attack. The attack caused power loss and an uncontrolled shutdown, with molten metal solidifying inside the potlines, resulting in significant damage to the smelter and casthouse. EGA CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said the company is assessing the damage and will work closely with affected customers. He noted that while the smelter may take up to a year to restart, the Al Taweelah alumina refinery (2.4 million tpy) and recycling plant (185,000 tpy) could resume operations earlier.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall near Coen, Far North Queensland, Australia, around 7:30 AM on March 20, 2026, as a Category 4 system (after peaking as Cat 5 offshore). It brought winds >250 km/h, 200–500 mm rain, flash flooding, and storm surge—one of the strongest cyclones to hit the region in decades. Rio Tinto shut down its Weipa bauxite operations (including Amrun and Andoom mines) as a precaution against destructive winds, heavy rain, and risks to infrastructure. The Weipa area supplies key global bauxite for aluminium production. Emergency evacuations occurred in remote communities like Lockhart River.

In October 2024, Guinean customs authorities suspended bauxite exports from Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), a subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), due to unresolved issues with the Guinean government, chiefly around concerns over GAC’s failure to progress on its commitment to build a domestic alumina refinery.

Emirate Global Aluminium’s recent announcement of setting up a primary aluminium smelter in Oklahoma, close to the Tulsa Port of Inola, is going to be the first new primary aluminium plant built in the US in 45 years.