28th of Feburary: According to SMM statistics, in February 2026, overseas production of metallurgical-grade alumina decreased by 12.41% month-on-month and 3.66% year-on-year; the average operating rate of overseas alumina enterprises edged down by 0.01 percentage point month-on-month to 76.17%, a decrease of 2.67 percentage points year-on-year. Overall, overseas alumina production was relatively stable during the month. By region: Asia: On February 6, Lam Dong Province in Vietnam approved the expansion plans for two alumina projects under Vinacomin, with a total investment of VND 59.855 trillion (approximately USD 2.3 billion). One is to add a production line with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tons at the Nhan Co alumina plant in Dak Nong Province, which is expected to be commissioned in 2030 with an operating period of 30 years. The other is to expand the Tan Rai alumina plant in Lam Dong Province, planning to build a second production line with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tons. Construction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2030 and operation to begin in the fourth quarter. According to SMM research, Vietnam's local bauxite resources are relatively abundant, providing stable raw material support for the commissioning of these projects. It is expected that they will have significant cost advantages, potentially enhancing the export competitiveness of alumina in the long term. Europe: In order to reduce the negative environmental impact of road transportation, Alteo alumina plant has partnered with HES Fos, planning to relocate most of its logistics operations from the port of Marseille to the port of Fos-sur-Mer. Under the agreement, HES Fos will be responsible for unloading ships, storing hydrated alumina, and subsequently transporting it to Alteo's plant in Gardanne. In the future, HES Fos will renovate an existing clinker warehouse specifically for storing hydrated alumina to ensure the smooth operation of the supply chain. The construction of this dedicated facility has entered the execution phase and is expected to be put into operation in 2029, providing reliable support for the logistics and storage of alumina in the long term. Australia: On February 13, Australian company Alpha HPA announced the groundbreaking of the second phase of its planned world's largest single-site high-purity alumina refinery. The project will utilize the company's proprietary solvent extraction and refining technology to commercially produce high-purity alumina products with a purity of 99.99%, providing key raw materials for industries such as global lithium batteries, LED lights, and semiconductor manufacturing. Middle East: On February 28, the conflict between Iran and Israel escalated, with an attack on Tehran, the capital of Iran. Currently, no shutdowns of alumina plants in the region have been reported. According to SMM statistics, Iran has only one alumina plant, which is equipped with bauxite production capacity. If geopolitical conflicts further intensify, the plant's production could be affected, and the possibility of output cuts or shutdowns cannot be ruled out. Data show that Iran's annual alumina output is about 250,000 tons, and bauxite output is about 650,000 tons. Its alumina production cannot meet the domestic demand for electrolytic aluminum production, and it has long relied on imports, with India being the main source. Alumina imports from India account for 40% to 80% of Iran's total imports. Outlook for March 2026: Overseas production of metallurgical-grade alumina is expected to increase by 12.65% month-on-month and decrease slightly by 2.38% year-on-year; the operating rate is expected to be 77.45%, up 0.01 percentage point month-on-month and down 1.61 percentage points year-on-year. Continuous attention should be paid to the impact of changes in the international political situation on alumina production.

SMM February 28 News: On February 28, the conflict between Iran and Israel escalated, with an attack on the Iranian capital, Tehran, drawing market attention. The following is an overview of the aluminum industry information in the Iran region: Bauxite & Alumina: There is only one alumina refinery in the Iran region, which also has associated bauxite mining operations. Annual alumina production and bauxite output are approximately 250,000 mt and 650,000 mt, respectively. Its alumina production cannot meet the domestic demand for electrolytic aluminum production, and it relies on alumina imports year-round. India is the main source, with Iran's alumina imports from India accounting for 40-80% of its total imports. Aluminum: Iran has four aluminum smelters, all currently in operation, with a national average operating rate above 90% and an annual output exceeding 600,000 mt. Its production exceeds domestic consumption, leading to some exports, mainly to Türkiye, China, and other countries. Net exports account for 30-50% of production. Overall, if the local aluminum industry production in Iran collapses due to the geopolitical conflict, overseas aluminum supply is expected to tighten, while the alumina surplus is expected to worsen further. However, there is a considerable spatial distance between Iran's aluminum industry plants and the attacked city of Tehran. The closest is the Arak aluminum plant, nearly 300 km away. Nevertheless, subsequent attention must be paid to whether the geopolitical conflict escalates, affecting other regions, such as near the Strait of Hormuz, or whether it will impact Iran's electricity supply or alumina import supply, consequently affecting electrolytic aluminum production.

Guinea, a West African country bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, has an economy that is profoundly intertwined with its bauxite mining industry, which serves as a cornerstone of national economic activity, export earnings, and foreign investment.

The Government of Guinea has ordered a complete clean-up of mining licenses: President Dumbuya instructed on 8 May that all mining rights of non-compliant companies should be revoked, and has revoked the licenses of two defunct mines, Guiter Mining and Kebo Energy, on 9 May. Officials have also initiated an itemized verification of all project milestones, refinery construction, and FODEL payments; companies that fail to build, pay, or complete ESIAs within the timeframe face steep fines and even the revocation of their mining rights.

SMM News on September 8: According to SMM data, China's bauxite output in August 2024 (31 days) decreased by 9.86% year-on-year and increased by 0.58% month-on-month. In July 2024, alumina plant bauxite inventories in China fell by 0.53% month-on-month and 14.2% year-on-year...

On 3rd July, rumours emerged suggesting that Indonesia might ease its strict bauxite export ban due to slower-than-expected progress in constructing alumina refineries. Following the news, SHFE alumina futures prices fell ...

As of May 22, China's domestic alumina spot prices have seen a substantial rise, with the SMM Alumina Index reaching 3,773 yuan/ton, marking an increase of 272 yuan/ton or 7.77% since the beginning of May. Compared to the same day in April, prices have surged by......

Customs data showed that China imported 11.8629 million mt of bauxite in March, up 5.19% MoM but down 1.43% YoY.

Customs data showed that China imported 24.4794 million mt of bauxite in January-February, up 4% YoY.

According to SMM data, domestic bauxite production in February 2024 (29 days) totaled 4.0183 million tons, a month-on-month decrease of 16.19% and a year-on-year decrease of 20.27%.