Changes in China's Alumina Import and Export Volumes in March 2026

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Rio Tinto is ramping up output at its Canadian smelters to meet rising U.S. demand, as the Middle East conflict drives up global aluminum prices and highlights supply chain risks. The company’s six smelters in Quebec (Saguenay region) and Kitimat, B.C., are already running near full capacity. Staff are now restarting idle pots to maximize production, according to Jérôme Pécresse, head of Rio Tinto’s aluminum and lithium business. Pécresse warned that the U.S.-Israel vs Iran conflict “is going to create a supply gap at some stage.”

[SMM Aluminum Express News] The Indonesian Bauxite Association (ABI) has warned of a potential imbalance between domestic bauxite supply and the rapid expansion of alumina refining capacity. Chairman Ronald Sulistyanto said the association mentioned that annual domestic bauxite supply should ideally not exceed 40 million tons, and alumina production capacity be 12–15 million tons per year (maximum 7 refineries). He noted that 4 alumina refineries are currently operating. The biggest issue, according to Ronald is widespread non-compliance with the Mineral Benchmark Price (HPM) by downstream players, which is hurting upstream miners’ margins. As a solution, ABI is proposing a digital transaction locking system that will automatically block payments if the price falls below the official HPM.