[Aluminum climbs above $3,300 as stalled Hormuz talks and record-low inventories fuel supply fears]

Rio Tinto’s third-quarter (Q3) 2026 production results report contrasting trends across its aluminium value chain, with bauxite production declining 4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), alumina output amounting to 6.11 million tonnes and primary aluminium stood at 2.52 million tonnes. The company maintained its full-year 2026 production guidance for all three commodities, while highlighting operational improvements, upcoming refinery constraints and progress on Pacific aluminium smelter repowering. Rio Tinto’s share of bauxite production reached the following figures at the end of Q3: 9 months 2026 vs 9 months 2025: 44.23 million tonnes vs 47 million tonnes, down 5.89 per cent Y-o-Y; Q3 2026 vs Q3 2025: 15.75 million tonnes vs 16.39 million tonnes, down 3.9 per cent Y-o-Y; Q3 2026 vs Q2 2026: 15.75 million tonnes vs 15.2 million tonnes, up 3.62 per cent Q-o-Q.

A shipment of 168,000 tonnes of bauxite from Guinea has arrived at Fangchenggang Port in Guangxi, southern China. The first batch of cargo was transported by rail to Wanzhou in Chongqing on October 3, supplying raw materials to a mineral production base in the city. The new route connects overseas bauxite supplies with inland industries through Beibu Gulf Port. According to Beibu Gulf Port Group, it offers a direct sea-rail transport link from the port to Chongqing. The route cuts transit time by about 25 days compared with the traditional river-sea route via the Yangtze River. It is expected to improve the movement of bulk raw materials to industrial businesses in southwest China.

Metro Mining Limited is reviewing its full-year 2026 shipment guidance after operational disruptions at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland, Australia, constrained barging capacity and equipment utilisation. The company shipped 659,000 tonnes of bauxite in September, bringing year-to-date shipments to 4.013 million tonnes. In an operational update dated October 12, 2026, Metro Mining said a sand-bank collapse reduced the depth of its barging channel from 1.8 metres to 1.3 metres during September, limiting the movement of bauxite. The company is implementing mitigation measures to address the disruption and said it would provide an update on calendar-year volume guidance as soon as possible, if required. Staff absenteeism and turnover also affected operations during the month, as the mine plan required an increase in stripped volumes. The company said these workforce challenges prevented it from fully utilising its equipment.