Guinea, Brazil Emerge as Key Competitive Bauxite Suppliers to China

SHANGHAI, Jun. 28 (SMM) – While Australia remains China’s top bauxite supplier, the country is facing competition from Guinea and Brazil, who are emerging as important suppliers, SMM says. 

Imports from Guinea, China’s second largest supplier, rose about 10% month-on-month in May, and imports from Brazil, which became China’s third largest supplier, surged to 521,200 tonnes, customs data showed.

China imported 3.85 million tonnes of bauxite in May, up 1.3% from a year ago, but down 12.68% from April. Bauxite mining ban in Malaysia sent imports from the once large supplier down 87.86% month-on-month and 95.03% year-on-year. 

SMM expects China’s total bauxite imports to rebound in June, though, driven mainly by capacity restarts at alumina producers in Shandong.

Operational Alumina Capacity in China to Keep Growing, SMM Predicts 

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