Asian Metal News
Wenshan Aluminium in Yunnan’s bauxite consumption dropped to 200 kt in February from 300 kt in January 2020 after the company halted one 400 ktpy alumina production line earlier this month due to a low bauxite inventory led by traffic restrictions. The company currently holds 150 kt bauxite in stock, a sharp decline from 400 kt a month ago.
Wenshan Aluminium was designed with 1.6 mtpy of alumina refining capacity across three production lines, capable of consuming 3.7 mtpy bauxite. The company’s captive mines are able to provide bauxite supply of 2 mtpy, meaning it still needs to seek an additional 1.7 mln t of bauxite supply from the market. Wenshan Aluminium consumed 3.5 mln t of bauxite in 2019.
Mainstream bauxite (A/S=6.0 grade) prices are RMB280~300/t delivered without taxes in southwestern China.
