China¡¯s Bauxite imports peak in january as Indonesia's export ban looms

China’s bauxite imports hit record high in January as Indonesia’s export ban loomed large, Shanghai Metals Market has learned.

Inbound shipments reached 8.02 million tonnes last month, spiking 57.81% year-on-year. Indonesia contributed 6.14 million tonnes, soaring 105.04% YoY, while Australia supplied 1.42 million tonnes, also jumping 43.67% from a year ago.

Chinese alumina producers also sourced the raw material from the Dominican Republic, Guinea, India and Ghana. Imports from these four countries totaled 459,700 tonnes.

The CIF prices of imported bauxite averaged $ 51.64 per tonne in January. The CIF price for Indonesian bauxite was $ 49.5 per tonne, $ 55.7 per tonne for Australian bauxite, and $ 85.75 for Guinean bauxite.

Chinese alumina refineries accelerated stock buildups before Indonesia’s ban on exports of unprocessed minerals took effect on January 12. This resulted in a 73.63% month-on-month surge in Indonesia’s bauxite shipments to China last month.

Some bauxite and alumina companies in China said chances were slim that the Indonesian government would relax its export ban on raw ores for the foreseeable future.

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