Indonesia Freezes Over 50 Mining Permits for Failing to Submit 2026 Work Plans and Budgets

The following table shows the ferrous and nonferrous metals movement on the SHFE and DCE on 20 May , 2026

The European Commission is considering tighter restrictions on alumina exports linked to Russia as part of efforts to limit materials that could support Russian military production. The discussions follow scrutiny over alumina shipments from Ireland’s Aughinish Alumina refinery to Russian smelters. EU officials said European businesses should not indirectly support Russia’s military-industrial sector. Alumina is currently not included in EU sanctions against Russia, but European lawmakers have proposed adding it to the next sanctions package. Markets are closely watching whether tighter restrictions could further affect European alumina trade flows and Russia’s aluminum supply chain.

US-based manufacturer Skuld has filed a patent application for a process that enables direct casting of wrought-grade aluminum alloys such as 6061 and 7075 from scrap metal, reducing the need for traditional rolling and forging. The project is part of DARPA’s Rubble to Rockets (R2R) programme, which focuses on converting scrap into structural components using advanced casting and AI-assisted analysis. The company said its AI-supported spark testing system can rapidly identify scrap compositions, while heat treatment and casting methods can achieve wrought-level mechanical performance. The technology could support future applications in defense, aerospace and remote manufacturing by improving recycled metal utilization and supply chain resilience.