On June 6, 2025, Allison Ju, Senior Manager of SMM's Aluminum Overseas Sales Team, and Cathy Liu, SMM's Aluminum Analyst, led a delegation to PT Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery (hereinafter referred to as "WHW"), where they held in-depth discussions with WHW's management at its Jakarta office.

On June 6, 2025, Ju Anran, Senior Manager of SMM's aluminum category, and Liu Xinyi, Analyst of SMM's aluminum category, led a delegation to PT Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery (hereinafter referred to as "WHW") . They held in-depth discussions and exchanges with WHW's management at its Jakarta office. Company Profile Established in 2015, WHW is the first Smelter Grade Alumina (SGA) alumina refinery in Indonesia. The project was jointly invested by China Hongqiao Group Co. Ltd. (holding 56% stake), PT Cita Mineral Investindo Tbk, a subsidiary of Indonesia's Harita Group (holding 30% stake), Winning Investment (HK) Co., Ltd., and Shandong Weiqiao Aluminum & Power Co., Ltd., with a total investment of approximately $1.3 billion. As of year-end 2020, the paid-in capital had reached $1.2 billion. The plant is located in Sungai Tengar District, Mekar Utama Village, Ketapang County, West Kalimantan Province, covering an area of over 1,000 hectares. The first phase, with an annual production capacity of 1 million mt, commenced operations in June 2016 and was expanded to 2 million mt/year in 2022. It is equipped with a steam power plant, an international-standard wharf, and employee dormitory areas. Its products not only meet the demand of local aluminum smelters in Indonesia but are also exported to major markets such as China, India, and Malaysia. During the discussions, both sides explored core issues including WHW's existing production capacity, the composition of raw material and electricity costs, and the promotion of green and low-carbon production technologies. Through communication, both sides enhanced their understanding, further solidified the foundation of mutual trust, and reached preliminary intentions in potential areas such as technological cooperation, raw material exchange, and joint R&D. This visit not only laid a solid foundation for establishing a long-term and stable cooperative relationship in the future but also opened up new opportunities for jointly promoting the green and sustainable development of Indonesia's alumina industry.

Guinea has just made a move that could send tremors through global commodity corridors, cancelling from 50 plus to 129 mineral exploration permits in a single sweep.

Yunnan Wendu New Materials Co., Ltd. was established in February 2025 and is wholly owned by Qinyang Carbon Co., Ltd. Its project with an annual production capacity of 500,000 mt of new-type prebaked anodes is adjacent to Yunnan Hongtai Aluminum, a subsidiary of Weiqiao Group, the world's largest aluminum enterprise, enjoying a unique geographical advantage. Phase I of the project, with an annual production capacity of 300,000 mt of new-type prebaked anodes, is expected to be completed and put into operation on October 19, 2025, taking only 8 months from signing the agreement to commissioning, setting a new industry speed record. Upon full completion and operation of the project, it is expected to achieve a total industrial output value of 2.5 billion yuan, profits and taxes of 200 million yuan, create employment opportunities for over 600 local residents, effectively increase local residents' incomes, and drive regional economic development.

Yunnan Wendu New Materials Co., Ltd. was established in February 2025 and is wholly owned by Qinyang Carbon Co., Ltd. Its project with an annual production capacity of 500,000 mt of new-type prebaked anodes is adjacent to Yunnan Hongtai Aluminum, a subsidiary of Weiqiao Group, the world's largest aluminum enterprise, enjoying a unique geographical advantage. Phase I of the project, with an annual production capacity of 300,000 mt of new-type prebaked anodes, is expected to be completed and put into operation on October 19, 2025, taking only 8 months from signing the agreement to commissioning, setting a new industry speed record. Upon full completion and operation of the project, it is expected to achieve a total industrial output value of 2.5 billion yuan, profits and taxes of 200 million yuan, create employment opportunities for over 600 local residents, effectively increase local residents' incomes, and drive regional economic development.

On April 22, the "Weiqiao-Luxeed Automotive Lightweighting Joint Laboratory" was officially inaugurated in Suzhou. Co-founded by Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group and Luxeed Automotive, the laboratory marks a new phase in the strategic cooperation between the two parties and represents a further step forward in Weiqiao, the "aluminum giant,"'s layout in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. According to the plan, with the joint R&D efforts of both parties, the proportion of aluminum materials in the auto body of the next-generation products will increase to 50%, the weight of the body in white will decrease by 15%, the torsional stiffness of the auto body will improve by 11%, and the driving range will increase by 10%. Meanwhile, the vehicle-use cast aluminum alloy, jointly developed by both parties, will be applied to the chassis parts of the next-generation products. Compared with the existing aluminum alloy, the fatigue strength will increase by 20%, the weight will decrease by 15%, and carbon emissions will reduce by 20%.

On April 22, the "Weiqiao-Luxeed Automotive Lightweighting Joint Laboratory" was officially inaugurated in Suzhou. Co-founded by Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group and Luxeed Automotive, the laboratory marks a new phase in the strategic cooperation between the two parties and represents a further step forward in Weiqiao, the "aluminum giant," expanding its presence in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. According to the plan, with the joint R&D efforts of both parties, the proportion of aluminum materials in the auto body of the next-generation products will increase to 50%, the weight of the body in white will be reduced by 15%, the torsional stiffness of the auto body will be improved by 11%, and the driving range will be extended by 10%. Meanwhile, the vehicle-use cast aluminum alloy, jointly developed by both parties, will be applied to the chassis parts of the next-generation products. Compared with the existing aluminum alloy, the fatigue strength will be increased by 20%, the weight will be reduced by 15%, and carbon emissions will be decreased by 20%.

AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference and Expo is one of the most influential events in China's aluminum industry, and will be grandly held at Suzhou International Expo Center from April 16-18, 2025 . This exhibition is not only an annual event for the aluminum industry, but also a high-quality platform that gathers global leading enterprises, experts, scholars, and industry elites, focusing on high-level dialogues, industry exchanges, and product showcases. AICE 2025 focuses on the hot topics of global aluminum industry development, deeply explores cutting-edge technologies and trends in the aluminum industry, and showcases and exchanges the latest research achievements and practical experiences in upstream aluminum, aluminum rolling - aluminum plate/sheet, strip and foil, aluminum extrusion - tubes, rods, wires, and profiles, secondary and die-casting, aluminum melting and casting equipment, and auxiliary materials . Click to register . At this Aluminum Industry Conference and Expo, Jinan Haide Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. will attend and exchange with the latest products and practical experiences, working with industry peers to build an innovative, high-quality, efficient, and sustainable aluminum industry chain, and promote new leaps in the aluminum industry. AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference and Expo will discuss, build, and share with global elites, empowering the entire aluminum industry chain. AICE 2025 will leverage the organizer's influence to integrate industry, academia, and research, stimulate innovation in the aluminum industry, and contribute to the industry's prosperity and progress. We look forward to meeting you on-site! Jinan Haide Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. Exhibitor No.: E76 Haide · Leader in Furnace Refining Equipment Haide Company was established in 2003. After more than 20 years of development, the company now has 120 employees, with annual sales exceeding 100 million yuan. The current production workshop area is 16,000 m², including a 1,200 m² R&D center. The company is a specialized and innovative enterprise in Shandong Province, a provincial gazelle enterprise, an innovative small and medium-sized enterprise in Shandong Province, a national high-tech enterprise, and a member of the China Nonferrous Metals Processing Industry Association. It has successfully passed certifications for quality management systems, environmental management systems, occupational health and safety management systems, energy systems, and intellectual property compliance management systems. It is also a drafting unit for national standards such as "20220129-T-469 General Technical Specifications for Centralized Melting and Distribution of Liquid Aluminum for Die Casting" and "Carbon Emission Accounting Methods for Secondary Cast Aluminum Alloy Products." The "Intelligent Equipment Remote Operation and Maintenance Platform for Liquid Aluminum Degassing and Refining" project was recognized as a pilot demonstration project for intelligent manufacturing in Jinan City. Since its establishment, the company has adhered to the development philosophy of "specialization, strength, and refinement," focusing on the aluminum casting, aluminum melting, and secondary aluminum industries, and has gradually reached the forefront of the industry. Its professional technology and equipment have reached the cutting-edge level in the industry, and it has become a professional equipment service provider with significant cooperative advantages in the industry. The company has always followed the path of technological innovation and specialized development, and has now obtained 106 patents and software copyrights. The liquid aluminum refining equipment and liquid aluminum transfer ladles developed by the company have become leading products in the industry. The company has established long-term cooperative relationships with many well-known enterprises in the industry, including Chalco, Rusal, Weiqiao Group, BYD Auto, Innovation Group, China Institute of Physics, and Xi'an Aero-Engine, spanning fields such as artificial intelligence, new energy, and aerospace. In the future, Haide will start from customer needs, develop towards digitalization and intelligence, and continue to develop products needed by the industry... Making everything in the industry simple! Corporate Development History January 2023: Haide was born, focusing on the manufacturing and R&D of aluminum casting equipment; 2009: Win-win cooperation, establishing cooperative relationships with major enterprises such as Great Wall Motor, Ruiming Group, Sigma Group, and Wantai Group; 2018: Haide was awarded the title of High-Tech Enterprise in Shandong Province; 2019: Haide obtained CE and other certifications, and its products were exported to advanced countries such as Europe and the United States; 2020: Haide obtained multiple management system certifications such as ISO, and some products won the "First Prize" for outstanding innovation achievements in Shandong enterprises, while also obtaining the two-in-one integration management system certificate; 2023: Haide was awarded the title of "Specialized and Innovative Enterprise in Shandong Province"; 2024: Haide was awarded the title of "Gazelle Enterprise in Shandong Province"; 2025: Independent intellectual property, with over 50 patents and multiple software copyrights applied for.

Introduction to Metro Mining and Current Status of Alumina Capacity Expansion in Indonesia Metro Mining Metro Mining, an Australian company, focuses on bauxite development and exports. Its core asset is the Bauxite Hills mine in Queensland, Australia, with a resource reserve of approximately 150 million mt and an annual capacity of around 4 million mt of bauxite. Its major clients are alumina refineries in China, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with the Chinese market accounting for over 70% of its sales. The company employs open-pit mining and benefits from proximity to ports (simplifying logistics), with cash costs ranking among the lowest in the global bauxite industry. The bauxite has an average alumina content of about 50%, with low impurities (low silicon content), making it suitable for China's high-temperature Bayer process. The company uses reclamation techniques to restore mine ecology and has committed to achieving carbon neutrality in mining operations by 2030. In recent years, it has expanded its resource reserves through acquisitions and exploration while exploring cooperation opportunities in emerging bauxite regions such as Guinea and Indonesia. Current Status of Alumina Capacity Expansion in Indonesia Since 2020, Indonesia has banned the export of raw bauxite ore, mandating local value-added processing (promoting the construction of alumina refineries). The country plans to build over 10 alumina refineries by 2025, with annual capacity exceeding 20 million mt. Indonesia has abundant bauxite reserves (approximately 1.2 billion mt), but the grade is relatively low (alumina content of 40%-45%), necessitating reliance on imported high-grade ore (such as Metro's Australian ore) for blending to improve efficiency. Operational Projects: Projects led by Chinese companies such as Hua Chin Aluminum (part of China Hongqiao Group) and Huafon Group in Indonesia. In 2023, Indonesia's alumina capacity was about 5 million mt, accounting for 5% of the global total. Projects Under Construction/Planning: Investments by international companies such as Rusal and EGA are expected to make Indonesia the world's third-largest alumina producer by 2025 (after China and Australia). Potential Impact of Indonesia's New Capacity on China 1. Changes in Market Competition Landscape • Import Substitution Effect China currently imports about 3 million mt of alumina annually (mainly from Australia). The release of Indonesia's capacity may divert some demand, reducing China's reliance on Australian ore. • Price Pressure Indonesia's low-cost alumina (benefiting from cheap energy and labor) may impact domestic alumina prices in China, squeezing profit margins for high-cost domestic producers. 2. Industry Chain Adjustments • Strategies for Chinese Alumina Companies Accelerate capacity relocation to Indonesia (e.g., Nanshan Aluminum and Chalco's projects in Indonesia) to avoid raw material import tariffs and stay close to resources. Enhance domestic refinery technologies (e.g., low-carbon electrolysis, waste heat recovery) to reduce costs. • Changes in Bauxite Trade Flows Increased local processing demand in Indonesia may reduce its bauxite exports, forcing China to diversify its import sources (Guinea, Australia, Vietnam, etc.). 3. Long-Term Challenges and Opportunities • Challenges Risks related to Indonesia's policy stability (e.g., adjustments to export bans, tax fluctuations) and infrastructure bottlenecks (insufficient port and power supply). • Opportunities China-Indonesia capacity cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative may foster regional aluminum industry clusters (integrated mining-alumina-aluminum-processing). 4. Response Strategies Sign long-term offtake agreements with major Chinese aluminum companies (e.g., Chalco, Weiqiao) to secure demand; explore equity stakes in Chinese alumina refineries to bind downstream. Provide high-grade Australian bauxite to Indonesian refineries (compensating for local low-grade ore), with supply agreements already in place with multiple Indonesian smelters. Promote "customized blending solutions" to help customers optimize alumina extraction rates; invest in digital logistics systems to improve China-Indonesia shipping efficiency. More in-depth analysis will be unveiled at the Alumina & Aluminum Raw Materials Forum on April 16, 2025! Norman graduated from the Department of Mineral Processing at Imperial College London and holds an EMBA from CEIBS in China. Before joining Metro Mining, Norman served as Sales Manager at Rio Tinto Aluminum, President of Asia Pacific at British Hardware, and President of Asia Pacific at U.S. Unisys. Currently, Norman is the General Manager of Metro Mining's Asia Market Department. AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Conference & Expo As a platform focusing on the integration of aluminum mining, smelting, metal processing, and end-use consumption, the event will kick off at the Suzhou International Expo Center from April 16-18, 2025. Alumina & Aluminum Raw Materials Forum As one of the most important forums of AICE 2025, the event on April 16, 2025, will center on topics such as overseas bauxite layout, the global alumina market, energy conservation and carbon reduction in the aluminum industry, Chinese aluminum companies going global, fluid delivery systems, green transformation in the aluminum industry, aluminum price fluctuations, prebaked anode supply structure, graphitized cathode technology, carbon footprint in the aluminum industry, and domestic petroleum coke and calcined coke markets, bringing an unparalleled event to the aluminum industry in the spring of the year.

Background and Significance of Short-Process Aluminum Processing Industry Pain Points Traditional aluminum processing has long processes, high energy consumption, and high costs, making it difficult to meet the demands of green and low-carbon development. Market requirements for the quality, efficiency, and environmental protection of aluminum semis are increasingly stringent. Value of Short-Process Technology Shortens production cycles, reduces intermediate steps, lowers energy consumption and carbon emissions, and enhances economic benefits and competitiveness. Expert Perspectives Core Innovations 1. Process Optimization Continuous production integrates multiple processes through technologies like continuous casting and rolling, and online heat treatment, reducing repeated heating and cooling. Precise temperature control optimizes smelting, casting, and rolling temperature management, improving material utilization and product quality. 2. Equipment and Intelligent Upgrades Develops high-efficiency and energy-saving equipment (e.g., short-process rolling lines) combined with intelligent control systems (e.g., AI algorithms for predicting process parameters), minimizing human intervention. 3. Material Innovation Develops aluminum alloy compositions suitable for short-process technology, enhancing material processing performance and product strength. Application Achievements 1. Production Efficiency Improvement Production cycles are shortened by 30%-50%, unit energy consumption is reduced by 20%-35%, and overall costs are decreased by 15%-25%. 2. Environmental Benefits Carbon emissions are reduced by over 30%, aligning with the "Dual Carbon" goals. For more in-depth research analysis, please follow the AICE Aluminum Industry Expo's [Aluminum Melting and Casting Technology Forum] on April 16, 2025, where experts will share insights on-site! Guest Profile: He Xiangwen, Chief Engineer of the Process Department at China Nonferrous Metals Processing Technology Co., Ltd., graduated from Xi'an Jiaotong University with a Bachelor's in Materials Science and a Master's in Management. He is a Senior Engineer, Registered First-Class Constructor, Registered Consultant, and holds the International Project Manager Professional (IPMP) certification. He is also an expert at the Innovation Think Tank of the China Association for Science and Technology. Currently, he serves as the Chief Engineer of the Process Department and Project Manager at China Nonferrous Metals Processing Technology Co., Ltd. He has led or designed major aluminum processing projects for groups such as Nanshan, Weiqiao, Xinfa, Yunnan Aluminum, Baikuang, Fupu, and India's Vedanta. He has in-depth research on the smelting and casting processes of non-ferrous metals and is dedicated to the popularization and promotion of new equipment, products, and technologies in the industry. He has published 11 papers in national journals, holds 10 patents, and has delivered over 20 speeches at professional forums. He has received more than 20 provincial and ministerial awards, including the Science and Technology Progress Award, Excellent Engineering Design Award, Consulting Award, and the Henan Aluminum Processing Technology Innovation Contribution Award. He has also co-edited standards such as the "Process Design Standards for Secondary Aluminum Plants." AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference and Expo As a platform deeply engaged in the upstream and downstream of the industry, focusing on aluminum mining and smelting, metal processing, and end-use consumption, it will take place from April 16-18, 2025, at the Suzhou International Expo Center. Aluminum Melting and Casting Technology Forum As one of the most important forums at AICE 2025, it will be held on April 16, 2025, and will focus on key topics such as common inclusions and purification techniques in aluminum alloy melting, research on cracking behavior of large-scale 2024 aluminum alloy flat ingots, metallurgical and casting process control of Fe and Si impurities in aluminum and aluminum alloys, causes and prevention of molten aluminum-water explosion accidents in semi-continuous (deep well) casting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, application of AC variable frequency speed regulation technology in aluminum melting and casting processes, analysis of new technologies in aluminum melting equipment and secondary aluminum recycling, high-temperature oxidation and molten aluminum corrosion resistance of AlCoFeNiTiCr high-entropy alloys, utilization and disposal of hazardous waste in aluminum smelting, development of health protection distance standards for the aluminum smelting industry, and the R&D and application of an integrated platform for digital delivery and intelligent operation and maintenance in aluminum smelting. This forum will bring an unparalleled event to the aluminum industry in the spring of the year.