Reliance Industries Explores Entry into Aluminum Production, Linking with Coal Gasification Plans

[]Geopolitical Tensions in the Strait Ease, Aluminum Prices Consolidate on a Subdued Note Amid Tug-of-War Between Sellers and Buyers. On a comprehensive basis, macro sentiment fluctuates as new progress emerges in US-Iran talks; Iran and Oman plan to establish a secure maritime corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, easing market concerns over geopolitical tensions. On the fundamentals side, China's aluminum ingot inventory destocking trend continues, providing bottom support for aluminum prices. However, outside China, the daily average aluminum production is expected to keep rebounding, driven by new capacity and production resumptions. The SHFE/LME price ratio is being repaired, and as orders on hand are digested, export demand is pulling back MoM but short-term resilience remains. On the domestic demand side, the transition period between slow and peak seasons has not yet been clearly defined, and the market has certain concerns about peak-season demand; in the short term, aluminum prices are expected to consolidate on a subdued note.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Hindalco’s Baphlimali Bauxite Mine in Odisha has become India’s first bauxite mine to receive Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard V3.1 certification. The certification, announced on August 13, covers mine planning, bauxite extraction, onsite crushing and conveyor transportation. Operated by Hindalco subsidiary Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), Baphlimali has an annual bauxite production capacity of 8.5 million tonnes and is the primary bauxite source for UAIL’s alumina operations. UAIL produces approximately 2.67 million tonnes of alumina annually, making the certification relevant across Hindalco’s integrated bauxite-to-alumina supply chain. The certification brings Hindalco’s total number of ASI-certified operations to 11, spanning mining, smelting and downstream manufacturing. The independent audit assessed environmental, social and governance requirements including biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, community engagement, human rights and occupational health and safety.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] NALCO has inaugurated a 50 kg/day indigenous pilot plant at its Research & Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar to recover value-added materials from bituminous coal fly ash. Developed by CSIR-IMMT and KIIT with support from NALCO, CSIR and India’s Ministry of Mines, the process can recover alumina, calcium silicate, quartz residue and an iron hydroxide residue enriched in rare earth elements including scandium. NALCO also held a ground-breaking ceremony for a separate pilot plant focused on bauxite residue, or red mud, valorisation. The proposed facility will target recovery of ferro-titanium alloy, metallic iron and rare earth elements from red mud, supporting NALCO’s broader effort to turn alumina-refining residues into commercially valuable products and critical minerals.