[SMM Aluminum Express News] The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has issued Decree No. 144.K/MB.01/MMEM.B/2026 concerning the amendment to Ministerial Decree No. 268.K/MB.01/MEM.B/2025 on the guidelines for determining Harga Patokan Mineral (HPM). The new regulation will take effect on 15 April 2026. Key Changes: 1. Reduction of the reactive silica (R-SiO₂) factor in bauxite HPM calculation. 2. Conversion of HPM unit from USD/DMT to USD/WMT. Urgent Directive for Bauxite Miners (Penambang Bauksit): 1. Immediately coordinate with your surveyor to include Al₂O₃ content, reactive silica (R-SiO₂), and moisture content in the Certificate of Analysis (COA). 2. Update the data in the e-PNBP and MVP applications for accurate royalty calculations.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Alcoa is facing regulatory pressure at its Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, highlighting risks to upstream aluminum supply. Mercury emissions linked directly to bauxite refining which have nearly doubled since 2022 to ~400kg in 2025, driven by higher alumina production, ore quality, and equipment issues. While regulators say emissions remain within acceptable limits, environmental groups have appealed the refinery’s license, raising the risk of tighter operating conditions for a key alumina asset.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Imerys announced on April 10, 2026, a binding agreement to acquire Great Lakes Minerals, a major U.S. processor and distributor of calcined bauxite, mullite, and fused alumina for the refractory and abrasive industries. The acquisition strengthens Imerys’ position in North America, supported by strategic assets along the Ohio River in Kentucky with efficient barge-to-plant logistics. It is expected to generate approximately $80 million in annual revenue post-integration and benefit from ongoing industrial reshoring in the USA. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to standard conditions.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Metro Mining (ASX:MMI) resumed operations at Bauxite Hills in mid-March after Tropical Cyclone Narelle caused minimal disruption, with only seven days of lost production and no infrastructure damage. The Port of Skardon reopened on 25 March, with barging gradually returning to full capacity by mid-April. Despite the disruption, 100,000 WMT was shipped in March. Transhipping continues via TSA Skardon Floating Crane and ultramax vessels, while the Ikamba Offshore Floating Terminal is en route back from maintenance in Batam and expected to arrive end-April. Full-year 2026 shipments are forecast at 6.6–7.1 million WMT.

On March 28th, the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) project for the 1 million tons/year mining, production, and operation of the Guizhou Aluminum Group's Zunyi Wuchuan Dazhuyuan Bauxite Mine, undertaken by Guizhou Construction Investment Group Chemical Construction Company, officially commenced. The project is located in Zhuoshui Town, Wuchuan County, within the core area of ​​the Wuzhengdao Bauxite Mine. The geological structure is complex, posing high demands for safety, quality, and organizational management. Chemical Construction Company, leveraging its mature management experience, professional technical team, and strong operational capabilities, undertook the project and continues to strengthen its management team to provide talent and technical support.

Indonesian state-owned aluminum giant PT Inalum on Tuesday called on the government to halt new alumina and aluminum plant construction, citing concerns about oversupply and pressure on the country's bauxite reserves. Resource-rich Indonesia is keen to boost its domestic metals industry and has banned the export of raw ore to encourage investment in domestic factories.

【SMM Port Inventory of Imported Bauxite】According to SMM's statistics on April 3, the total bauxite inventory at ten domestic ports increased by 2.17 million mt from the previous week.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] PT Bukit Asam (PTBA) is seeking partners to build a 1.25 GW coal-fired power plant in Mempawah to support Inalum’s 600,000 tpy aluminum smelter. The project, backed by an MoU between PTBA and Inalum, will require ~5.5 million tons of coal annually (180–200 million tons over 30 years). PTBA targets FID by end-2026, with potential project start in 2027. The smelter itself is part of a larger integrated bauxite–alumina–aluminum chain, with US$2.4 billion investment for the smelter and US$890 million for SGAR Phase 2. It will process 3 Mt bauxite into 1 Mt alumina, then into 600 kt aluminum, supplied by Antam mines. Overall, this strengthens Indonesia’s downstream strategy, boosting domestic alumina capacity to 2 Mt/year and bauxite absorption to 6 Mt/year.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] PT PP Presisi (PPRE) secured an IDR 870 billion bauxite mining contract from PT Aneka Tambang (ANTM) in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. The project, executed under a joint operation with PTPP and LMA, covers mining, hauling, and washing plant operations, with first cut starting in early Q2 2026. This contract highlights PPRE’s push to diversify beyond nickel into bauxite, while also reflecting strong SOE collaboration to support Indonesia’s mining sector development.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] PT Inalum has urged the Indonesian government to pause new alumina and aluminum projects due to oversupply risks and pressure on bauxite reserves. Indonesia’s push to build domestic processing has driven rapid investment, similar to nickel, but Inalum warns this could lead to the same issues (oversupply, falling prices, and environmental strain).