Asian Metal News
Chalco Shanxi Alumina refinery, designed with 2.4 mtpy capacity, comprising five production lines (3 LT and 2 HT), suspended one LT line in mid-April 2020 due to a weak market.
The company chiefly uses imported bauxite from Indonesia, consuming 250 kt of imported bauxite in April ; a figure that is expected to drop to 200 kt for May after suspension of the LT line.
The company can consume up to 3.6 mtpy of imported bauxite. It began using imports in July 2019, consumed 1.55 mln t during 2019 and has used 1.25 mln t in the year to date. The company currently holds 150 kt of Indonesian bauxite in stock.
Chalco Shanxi’s two HT lines are dependent on local bauxite from its captive bauxite mines, with monthly demand steady at 120 kt. Its captive bauxite mines are capable of supplying 180 kt of bauxite per month.
At present, mainstream prices of Indonesian bauxite are at Al2O3 47% min, SiO2 5% max grade stands at USD42.5~43.5/t CIF China, down USD0.5/t from last week. Overall demand for imported bauxite declined following production cuts by domestic refineries.
