[SMM Aluminum Express News] Canyon Resources is advancing its Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon with integrated mine-to-port logistics ahead of first production in late 2026. The company has increased stakes in Camrail (26.9%) and the Port of Douala operator (42.8%) to secure rail and export capacity. Trial mining began in April 2026, with rail, port, and rolling stock commissioning underway. First bauxite shipment is targeted for late September 2026, while offtake talks and a potential alumina refinery study (due Q3 2026) are ongoing. The project targets high-grade bauxite averaging ~51% alumina and ~2% silica.

[SMM Daily Comment: High-Grade NPI Prices Moved Up, Pre-Holiday Wait-and-See Sentiment Led to Sluggish Trading] April 28 — The SMM high-grade NPI upstream sentiment factor was 3.3, up 0.01 MoM, and the high-grade NPI downstream sentiment factor was 1.89, flat MoM.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Canyon Resources has mobilized the surface miner at the Daniel Plateau of its Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon. Trial mining operations are scheduled to commence this month (April 2026). First production remains on track for mid-Q2 2026. Upgrade works on the haul road to the Inland Rail Facility (IRF) are progressing as planned. The first seven locomotives were shipped from China at the end of March and are expected to arrive at the Port of Douala in late Q2 2026. The maiden bauxite trial shipment is now scheduled for Q3 2026, with full-scale shipments targeted for Q4 2026. Discussions are ongoing for Canyon to increase its stake in Camrail from 9.1% to over 20%, which would strengthen its control over the mine-to-port logistics chain.

Rio Tinto and Century Aluminum raised US billet premiums by around 12%, about 3 cents/lb. (around USD 110/t) above pre-war levels. Middle East disruptions have affected supply from the Persian Gulf, which accounts for about 20% of US imports, tightening domestic supply. The US Midwest premium has reached a record USD 1.1325/lb., while aluminum prices have risen over 10% since late February. Amid growing uncertainty, buyers are shifting to domestic sourcing, while producers are pushing for long-term contracts to secure pricing and supply.

[SMM Titanium Express] Yunnan National Titanium Metal issued a price adjustment notice. Based on current market conditions, effective April 9, all grades of sponge titanium prices will increase by RMB 2,000/ton for domestic market and USD 300/ton for overseas market.

[SMM Titanium Express] CITIC Titanium announced a price increase effective April 1, raising selected CR series chloride-process TiO₂ prices by RMB 1,000/ton for domestic market and USD 200/ton for overseas market. This marks the company's second hike within a month and extends the industry's "three consecutive increases" in March, signaling the full deepening of the current price upcycle.