Alpha HPA Secures $75M NRFC Investment, Completes $225M Funding for Green HPA Project

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Metro Mining CEO and Managing Director Simon Wensley described 2026 as a pivotal year for the company, with a focus on maximising value from its expanded operations at the Bauxite Hills mine. “We’re really just trying to extract the maximum out of our 7 million tonne expansion,” he said, referring to the strategic expansion announced to the market at the end of 2022. Production was temporarily paused for seasonal maintenance but is expected to resume in early March. Wensley noted that the second half of the year is the “sweet spot,” thanks to optimal weather and tidal conditions. Looking further ahead, he highlighted the company’s strong reserve base and surrounding resources, which provide significant longer-term growth optionality.

[SMM Aluminum Morning Meeting Minutes: Aluminum Prices Edged Up Overnight as US-Iran Tensions Briefly Escalated] Overall, the short-term volatility risks in SHFE aluminum and nonferrous metals markets have increased significantly. Prices may continue to be affected by factors such as the US Fed's policy shift, and further amplification of fluctuations cannot be ruled out. It is essential to closely monitor market dynamics and regulatory policy changes, conduct trading rationally and in compliance, and prudently manage positions and risks.

[SMM Cast Aluminum Alloy Morning Comment: Primary Aluminum Spot Prices Decline for Three Consecutive Days, Marginal Improvement in Market Demand] Spot market-wise, A00 aluminum prices fell by another 410 yuan/mt from the previous trading day to 23,290 yuan/mt, while SMM ADC12 prices dropped by 200 yuan/mt to 23,650 yuan/mt. Futures continued their downward trend, and secondary aluminum market quotations generally followed suit, though the extent of price declines varied among producers. Demand side, purchasing sentiment showed slight improvement compared to earlier periods, but downstream buyers remained cautious amid expectations of further price declines. Coupled with heightened short-term market volatility, pre-holiday stockpiling willingness remained low. Supply side, as the Chinese New Year approaches, factors such as reduced orders and environmental protection-related controls have prompted some secondary aluminum plants to schedule early holiday shutdowns, with production expected to halt gradually starting from the 5th. Overall holiday durations are longer than the same period in previous years. In summary, continued weakening downstream demand and declining raw material costs have reduced fundamental support for prices, and secondary aluminum alloy prices are likely to remain in the doldrums in the short term.