Asian Metal News
SPIC Shanxi’s monthly consumption of imported bauxite is expected to drop to 120 kt in December from 300 kt in November. The company mainly uses Guinean bauxite for alumina refining. Typically having moisture content in excess of 10%, Guinean bauxite is either frozen or becomes lumpy at low winter temperatures, causing problems with transportation. As a result, the company began cutting their imported bauxite consumption in early December. However, the company plans to restart using imported bauxite from March 2020, when the temperature increases.
SPIC Shanxi began using imported bauxite at end-2018 on tightening domestic supply. It used 300 kt of imported bauxite in 2018 and 1.9 mln t in 2019 with 700 kt imported bauxite as inventories at present. The company is capable of consuming 3 mln t of imported bauxite per annum.
SPIC Shanxi has six alumina production lines, two of them had previously been using imported bauxite but only one is now using imported bauxite.
At present, Guinea bauxite Al2O3 45%min, SiO2 3% max is being offered at USD50~ 53/t CIF China.
