SHANGHAI, Mar. 26 (SMM) -- According to China Customs, China imported 4.67 million mt of bauxite during February, up 112.26% YoY. Total bauxite imports from January to February were 7.78 million mt, up 51.8% YoY.

SMM sources report that Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia were three major suppliers of China’s imported bauxite in February. Imports from Indonesia were 3.81 million mt during February, up 160.92% YoY, while imports from Australia were 809,600 mt, up 41.04% YoY.

Bauxite imports from Malaysia were stable during January and February, at 45,300 mt and 48,700 mt respectively, while no bauxite was imported from this country during the same period of 2011.

SMM believes growing bauxite imports are related to changes in Indonesia’s export policy for mineral resources, with bauxite imports from Indonesia increasing by 160.92% YoY during February. Bauxite imports from Australia also registered a noticeable growth, since domestic alumina producers chose to import large amounts of bauxite to minimize risks from possible supply shortages in the near future.