New Zealand's Tiwai Point Smelter at Full Capacity, Boosted by Strong Aluminum Prices

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Mexico and the US have postponed their fourth round of bilateral trade negotiations from late September to potentially October, while technical discussions continue. Mexico’s Deputy Economy Minister for Foreign Trade Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez said the two sides are working toward an interim trade agreement covering nearly 90 issues. For aluminum, Mexico is seeking relief from US Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles. No agreement on a lower aluminum tariff rate has yet been reached, meaning Mexican aluminum exports remain exposed to the current US tariff measures while negotiations continue. An October negotiating round could provide the next indication of whether tariff relief is achievable.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Oklahoma Primary Aluminum says its proposed Inola smelter could contribute around US$49 billion cumulatively to Oklahoma’s economy through 2060, according to a new economic-impact study conducted by Regional Economic Models (REMI). The planned more than US$4 billion, 750,000 t/y primary aluminum smelter, a joint venture between Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum, is projected to add an average US$1.45 billion/year to Oklahoma GDP and support around 7,000 jobs annually, with employment peaking above 10,600 in 2029. PR Newswire The developers said the project would create more than 1,000 permanent direct jobs and around 4,000 temporary construction jobs, while separate regional infrastructure investment is estimated at US$400-500 million for port, wastewater and electricity infrastructure. The 441-acre smelter at the Tulsa Port of Inola would use EGA’s EX reduction-cell technology and, at 750,000 t/y, would more than double current US primary aluminum production capacity.

The United Nations has selected six countries across Africa and Asia to receive support in capturing greater value from critical minerals essential to the global energy transition. UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Wednesday that the initiative will initially benefit Indonesia, Zambia, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, and Nigeria. UN agencies will coordinate their efforts to help these nations develop relevant industries. Zambia is Africa's second-largest copper producer, while Zimbabwe is a major supplier of battery-grade lithium on the continent. Indonesia is the world's largest nickel producer, and Guinea is the leading producer of bauxite, while also possessing untapped critical mineral resources. Madagascar holds reserves of cobalt, graphite, and nickel. Nigeria's mineral resources remain largely undeveloped.