Secondary Aluminum Alloy Ingot Inventory Down 142 mt MoM, 152 mt from Pre-Holiday Level

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Atlantic Alumina (Atalco Gramercy) refinery in Louisiana submitted a site investigation plan (Jan 30, 2026) to LDEQ to test soil & groundwater for contamination from repeated “red mud” leaks into drainage leading to Blind River Swamp. The plan involves drilling borings, screening for heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, arsenic, etc.), and converting to monitoring wells, using strict EPA/Louisiana standards. Leaks started Aug 2024; more violations found 2025. Company agreed to remediation without admitting fault; no fines decided yet. Meanwhile, owner Concord Resources signed a DoD deal (Jan 2026) to expand the U.S.’s only bauxite refinery to >1M tpy alumina + gallium production.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Alcoa agreed to pay AUD 55 million (~USD 36–39M) to remediate unlawful clearing of over 2,000 ha in Western Australia's Northern Jarrah Forest (2019–2025) for bauxite mining, without approvals. Environment Minister Murray Watt granted an 18-month national interest exemption for continued limited clearing while a strategic assessment is completed, ensuring bauxite supply continuity. Alcoa caps annual clearing at 800 ha and will rehabilitate 1,000 ha/year by 2027.