Major events in the nonferrous metals industry in March 2026
On March 4, Qatar Aluminum Manufacturing Company stated that its joint venture Qatar Aluminum plans to conduct a controlled shutdown.
On March 4, Bahrain Aluminum announced that it had encountered force majeure, which would affect the performance of its supply contract.
On March 6, China’s Shanghai Futures Exchange issued the revised “Shanghai Futures Exchange Lead Futures Contract” and “Shanghai Futures Exchange Lead Futures Business Rules”, officially incorporating recycled lead into the futures delivery system.
On March 12, the European Commission issued an announcement stating that, in response to an application submitted by the EU Copper Tubes Defense Committee, it would launch an anti-dumping investigation into copper tubes originating in China, Mexico, Vietnam and Uzbekistan.
On March 12, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Chile had signed a joint statement with the United States to initiate consultations on rare earth and critical mineral issues.
On March 17, it was reported that Japan and the United States will reach an agreement on joint development of rare earths, lithium and copper at this week’s summit. Joint projects include rare earth refining operations in Indiana and lithium mine development in North Carolina.
On March 18, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources released the latest prospecting results. The rare earth mineral resource reserve verification project in Maoniuping Mining Area, Mianning County, Sichuan, found that the total resources were 9.6656 million tons of rare earth oxides, accompanied by super large fluorite (27.1354 million tons) and barite (37.2277 million tons) resources.
On March 18, Guinea’s Mining Minister stated that the country would limit bauxite exports by early April to stabilize prices.
On March 19, Ford's chief operating officer said that the Novelis aluminum plant is still expected to resume full production from May to September.
On March 20, Rio Tinto closed its bauxite mine due to the cyclone that hit northern Australia.
On March 20, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that in response to an application submitted by Indian domestic enterprise Hindalco Industries Limited, it would launch the first anti-dumping sunset review investigation into aluminum rolled products originating in or imported from China.
On March 24, the EU and Australia reached a comprehensive trade agreement. The EU will obtain specific supplies of key raw materials such as aluminum, lithium, and manganese from Australia.
On March 26, Wanji Aluminum (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd. started construction of a 580,000-ton electrolytic aluminum construction project. The total investment in the project is approximately 4.595 billion yuan, and it is planned to be completed and put into operation in July 2027.
On March 27, data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China showed that from January to February 2026, the nonferrous metal smelting and rolling processing industry achieved operating income of 1,631.65 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.8%; operating costs were 1,506.30 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 24.8%; total profits were 91.05 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 148.2%.
On March 27, the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mines (ESDM) stated that approximately 150 nickel companies have received approval for the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB). Mining companies that do not currently have RKAB approval can still take advantage of the grace period provided by the government to continue production until March 31, 2026.
On March 28, two major aluminum plants in the Middle East were attacked. A factory owned by Bahrain Aluminum Company was attacked by Iran and is assessing property damage. Emirates Global Aluminum, one of the world's largest aluminum producers, was also attacked by Iran.
On March 31, the President of Indonesia said that Indonesia invited Japan to cooperate in the fields of critical minerals, rare earths, renewable energy and nuclear energy.
On March 4, Bahrain Aluminum announced that it had encountered force majeure, which would affect the performance of its supply contract.
On March 6, China’s Shanghai Futures Exchange issued the revised “Shanghai Futures Exchange Lead Futures Contract” and “Shanghai Futures Exchange Lead Futures Business Rules”, officially incorporating recycled lead into the futures delivery system.
On March 12, the European Commission issued an announcement stating that, in response to an application submitted by the EU Copper Tubes Defense Committee, it would launch an anti-dumping investigation into copper tubes originating in China, Mexico, Vietnam and Uzbekistan.
On March 12, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Chile had signed a joint statement with the United States to initiate consultations on rare earth and critical mineral issues.
On March 17, it was reported that Japan and the United States will reach an agreement on joint development of rare earths, lithium and copper at this week’s summit. Joint projects include rare earth refining operations in Indiana and lithium mine development in North Carolina.
On March 18, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources released the latest prospecting results. The rare earth mineral resource reserve verification project in Maoniuping Mining Area, Mianning County, Sichuan, found that the total resources were 9.6656 million tons of rare earth oxides, accompanied by super large fluorite (27.1354 million tons) and barite (37.2277 million tons) resources.
On March 18, Guinea’s Mining Minister stated that the country would limit bauxite exports by early April to stabilize prices.
On March 19, Ford's chief operating officer said that the Novelis aluminum plant is still expected to resume full production from May to September.
On March 20, Rio Tinto closed its bauxite mine due to the cyclone that hit northern Australia.
On March 20, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that in response to an application submitted by Indian domestic enterprise Hindalco Industries Limited, it would launch the first anti-dumping sunset review investigation into aluminum rolled products originating in or imported from China.
On March 24, the EU and Australia reached a comprehensive trade agreement. The EU will obtain specific supplies of key raw materials such as aluminum, lithium, and manganese from Australia.
On March 26, Wanji Aluminum (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd. started construction of a 580,000-ton electrolytic aluminum construction project. The total investment in the project is approximately 4.595 billion yuan, and it is planned to be completed and put into operation in July 2027.
On March 27, data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China showed that from January to February 2026, the nonferrous metal smelting and rolling processing industry achieved operating income of 1,631.65 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.8%; operating costs were 1,506.30 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 24.8%; total profits were 91.05 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 148.2%.
On March 27, the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mines (ESDM) stated that approximately 150 nickel companies have received approval for the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB). Mining companies that do not currently have RKAB approval can still take advantage of the grace period provided by the government to continue production until March 31, 2026.
On March 28, two major aluminum plants in the Middle East were attacked. A factory owned by Bahrain Aluminum Company was attacked by Iran and is assessing property damage. Emirates Global Aluminum, one of the world's largest aluminum producers, was also attacked by Iran.
On March 31, the President of Indonesia said that Indonesia invited Japan to cooperate in the fields of critical minerals, rare earths, renewable energy and nuclear energy.
Release time: 2026-03-31
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