Recent IBAAS Events

IBAAS-CHALIECO-SINR 2015 Symposium

 The 4^th International Symposium of International Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium Society (IBAAS) in cooperation with CHALIECO & Suzhou Non-Ferrous Research Institute (SINR) was successfully held at Suzhou, China during 25 – 27 Nov, 2015. This 3 days mega event attracted more than 180 Chinese and foreign delegates. The conference was inaugurated on 25^th Nov. morning by leading personalities of Chinese alumina-aluminium  industries in presence of delegates from Australia, Denmark, Ghana, Guinea, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Russia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, UK and USA. 

First Day of Symposium: Several dignitaries of China from Non-Ferrous Metal Industry Association, CHALIECO, CNPT, GAMI, SAMI and score of companies and institutes were present in the inaugural function. About 100 companies and organisations from all over the world participated in this Aluminium event in China. Mr Ma Ning-Vice President CHALIECO gave the welcome speech.He was of the opinion that even though the industry is passing through a  difficult times with fall of aluminium LME price to  a 6 years low, it will definitely come out of the rather difficult situation through innovations and help from the government. This was followed by a welcome note by Dr Ashok Nandi General Secretary, IBAAS outlining various activities &conferences conducted by IBAAS till now. The first key note address was presented by Mr Wen Xianjun-Vice President of CNMIC in which he elaborated the growth of the industry in China, challenges being faced and future prospects. This was followed by key note addresses by Mr Xu Weiping, CHINALCO, Mr He Zhihui President CHALIECO, Dr Mukesh Kumar Vedanta, Mr. Zhou Baiquan CNPT, Mr Yanchen Wang CRU, Mr Michael Shenton Prima Resources, Mr H. Mahadevan IBAAS, Mr Tony McCabe & Mr Luo Xianqing GAMI & Zhon Fenglu SAMI. Most of these presentations were oriented towards the status and reality of bauxite alumina and aluminium industry of China, India and the worldwide scenario.

The speakers brought out the capabilities of the Chinese Research Institutes, R&D work being pursued to bring down the cost, growth prospects and way forward. CHINALCO has recorded impressive figures for energy consumption - 12.1 MWh/t in their 600 kA pots and 8.8 GJ/tonne of alumina, with industry players further committing themselves to lower the consumption.

All the sponsors including RUSAL, CYTEC, HATCH and exhibitors presented the details of their capabilities and their involvement in the industry. There were 18 Key Note presentations on the first day and 8 companies have put up the exhibition stalls at the venue of conference.

Second Day: On 26^th Nov., the 2^nd day of the 4^th IBAAS conference at Suzhou about 35 papers in 3 parallel sessions were presented to showcase the developments in China and other countries – 12 of them in Bauxite-alumina session, 10 on Aluminium smelting and 13 on downstream operations. The topics have covered a wide range from Bauxite indexing and pricing by CM Group Australia, Bauxite & Carbon Resource availability, Energy conservation, technological and process improvements in alumina refining, aluminium smelting and downstream operations. Papers were presented by representatives from JNARDDC, IBAAS, PRIMA RESOURCES, AMBER DEVELOPMENT, CYTEC, GENESIS RESOURCE, CHALIECO, GAMI, SAMI, CHARM, SINR, NJUST, NEW, DLUT, CNPT and several other organizations.

The papers presented revealed the wide knowledge base in the Aluminium field available in China and their technological prowess, continuous and future research plans. Also transferring the technology from Research institutes to Operations is seamlessly taking place because of which the Chinese companies are able to compete and excel even during these difficult times of the industry.  

Third & Final Day: On 27^th Nov., the 3rd and final day of the 4^th IBAAS symposium at Suzhou, China 12 papers were presented in 2 parallel sessions, 6 each on Alumina and downstream operations. Topics covered were mainly on technological and process improvements in alumina refining, bauxite residue utilization and downstream operations. Papers were presented by representatives from JNARDDC, IBAAS, PRIMA RESOURCES, CHALIECO etc. The presentations revealed the wide knowledge base in the Aluminium field and the Environmental concerns and potential for improvements. Many Chinese presentations indicate continuous efforts in this country in reducing the cost of production and increasing value addition to downstream products.  

In the closing session of the conference, the organising committee invited feedback from the delegates and thanked them for their contribution; especially CHALIECO and SINR for their untiring efforts in efficient and successful organisation of the conference. It was informed that the next conference of 2016 may take place in India, the dates and venue for the same would be announced shortly by IBAAS organizers. Many delegates appreciated and recognized the value of this type of technical conference. The presence of a large number of delegates and enthusiasm shown by participants show that aluminium industry will remain viable in Asia despite present depressed alumina and aluminium market in the world. 

Plant Visit:  After this successful conference, plant visit to Bauxite Mine and Alumina Refinery of Pingguo, Guangxi Branch, CHALCO was organised for the delegates. This was well appreciated by International delegates.

The conference provided excellent opportunities to various bauxite exploration and mining companies of Australia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Turkey to interact with traders and alumina refineries experts to understand the present pricing and future prospects of raw materials in China. Despite low alumina and aluminium prices in world market, it is expected that the bauxite demand may remain strong in this country and there may not be significant fall in prices of raw materials in China.