【SMM Aluminum Flash News】UK's LA Metals Completes Management Buyout to Expand Aluminum Processing Capacity

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Indonesia has clarified that the recent rare earth element (REE/LTJ) issue does not constitute a blanket ban on alumina exports, despite market concerns following the detention of an alumina shipment. The government said the current regulations prohibit exports of REEs as a primary commodity, while alumina exports remain subject to existing export regulations and are not automatically restricted due to incidental REE content.

[SMM Flash] SHFE data showed that on August 3, total registered cast aluminum alloy warrants stood at 17,553 mt, down 118 mt from the previous trading day. The regional breakdown was as follows: Shanghai (1,506 mt, down 0 mt), Guangdong (1,490 mt, down 88 mt), Jiangsu (3,806 mt, down 0 mt), Zhejiang (6,932 mt, down 30 mt), Chongqing (3,034 mt, down 0 mt), Sichuan (785 mt, down 0 mt).

Rio Tinto-operated Bell Bay Aluminum has been excluded from Australia's AUD 2 billion Green Aluminum Production Credit scheme, increasing pressure on the smelter to secure a long-term power agreement before the end of the year. Bell Bay is Australia's only predominantly renewable-powered primary aluminum smelter, with an annual production capacity of 187,000 tonnes. The facility accounts for around 25% of Tasmania's electricity consumption and exports more than 90% of its aluminum production to Asian markets. Without competitive power pricing and government support, the smelter faces uncertainty over its operations beyond 2026.