China's Aluminum Ingot Inventory Falls on October 12

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Hindalco partners with Vodafone Idea to deploy private network at Odisha bauxite mine. Hindalco Industries announced on October 8 that it has partnered with Vi Business, the enterprise division of Indian telecommunications operator Vodafone Idea, to establish a dedicated private network at its Baphlimali Bauxite Mine in Rayagada district, Odisha. The multi-year agreement marks Hindalco's first private network deployment and will support digital mining operations through real-time equipment monitoring, fleet management, drone surveillance and improved worker safety. The project will also introduce an Integrated Command and Control Centre to improve operational visibility and data-driven decision-making. Baphlimali is a key bauxite supplier to Hindalco's integrated aluminum operations and recently obtained Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification. The investment is expected to improve mining efficiency and operational reliability, although no additional bauxite production capacity, investment value or commissioning timeline was disclosed.

[Aluminum prices at home and abroad recover from lows and rebound; bullish and bearish factors interweave, keeping aluminum prices in a fluctuating adjustment] Macro-wise, high US Treasury yields and a strong US dollar continue to weigh on the valuation of the nonferrous metals sector. Industry-wise, the actual improvement in demand during China's traditional peak season has not fully met prior expectations, and downstream purchasing has turned more cautious in a high-price environment, weakening support for prices. On Monday, aluminum ingot inventory destocked by 35,000 mt, providing some price support. Overall, short-term aluminum prices face interwoven bullish and bearish factors, and are expected to maintain a fluctuating adjustment trend in the near term.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Metro Mining ships 659,000 mt of bauxite in September as logistical disruptions prompt annual guidance review. Australian bauxite producer Metro Mining reported shipments of 659,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) from its Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland in September 2026, bringing cumulative shipments for January–September to 4.013 million WMT. According to its October 12 operational update, a sandbank collapse reduced the barging channel depth from 1.8 metres to 1.3 metres, restricting barging capacity. Mining operations were also affected by increased employee absenteeism and turnover, limiting equipment utilisation. Channel maintenance commenced in early October, with normal approved depth expected to be restored within two weeks. Meanwhile, Metro's offshore floating terminal Ikamba has achieved planned availability and loading rates of approximately 2,400 tonnes/hour, while a second floating crane has returned to service. Despite these improvements, Metro is reviewing its full-year 2026 shipment guidance as it addresses the operational disruptions. The company has not yet announced a revised target, leaving uncertainty over its remaining bauxite shipments this year.