Domestic Bauxite Supply Tightened amid Slow Production Recovery of Mines

SHANGHAI, Mar 15 (SMM) - As of March 10, the bauxite (Al/Si ratio of 5 and alumina content of 58%) traded between 400-430 yuan/mt (including VAT, excluding resource tax, delivery to factory) in north Shanxi, and 430-475 yuan/mt in Xiaoyi, Shanxi; the bauxite (Al/Si ratio of 5 and alumina content of 58%) was sold between 425-480 yuan/mt (including VAT, excluding resource tax, delivery to factory) in Sanmenxia, Henan; the bauxite in Guizhou with Al/Si ratio of 5.5 traded between 325-370 yuan/mt (excluding tax). The prices of bauxite in Guangxi with Al/Si ratio of 5.5 and alumina content of 55% stood at 300-320 yuan/mt (excluding tax).

On the supply side, the operating rates of domestic mines remained low. Most mines in Shanxi, Henan, and Guizhou would not resume the production until after the Two Sessions. The alumina refineries had low stocks of bauxite, but it was difficult for them to make purchases. Although the alumina prices have pulled back, the overall profits of alumina refineries are moderate, which will provide upward momentum for the bauxite prices amid low supply and growing demand. As most mines in Shanxi and Henan will not resume the production until mid-March, some alumina refineries in north China in need of raw materials have to purchase imported bauxite for production.