Africa is one of the largest bauxite producing regions. Guinea, an African country, is the world’s largest exporter of bauxite and ranks second in bauxite production. Other African countries that produce bauxite include Ghana, Cameroon, Mozambique, Cote d’Ivoire, etc.
Although Africa has a large amount of bauxite, the region still lacks aluminum production due to abnormal power supply, hindered financial investment and modernization, unstable political situation, and lack of professionalism. There are multiple aluminum smelters distributed throughout the African continent, but most of them cannot reach their actual production capacity and rarely take closure measures, such as Bayside Aluminum in South Africa and Alscon in Nigeria.
1. HILLSIDE Aluminum (South Africa)
For over 20 years, HILLSIDE Aluminum has played a key role in the South African aluminum industry.
The aluminum smelter located in Richards Bay, KwaZulu Natal Province, about 180 kilometers north of Durban, produces high-quality primary aluminum for the export market.
Part of the liquid metal is supplied to Isizinda Aluminum to support the development of the downstream aluminum industry in South Africa, while Isizinda Aluminum supplies aluminum plates to Hulamin, a local company that produces products for both domestic and export markets.
The smelter mainly uses alumina imported from Worsley Alumina in Australia to produce high-quality primary aluminum. Hillside has an annual production capacity of approximately 720000 tons, making it the largest primary aluminum producer in the southern hemisphere.
2. MOZAL Aluminum (Mozambique)
Mozambique is a southern African country, and MOZAL Aluminum Company is the country’s largest industrial employer, making significant contributions to the local economy. The aluminum plant is located only 20 kilometers west of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique.
The smelter is the largest private investment in the country and the first large-scale foreign direct investment of $2 billion, helping Mozambique rebuild after a period of turmoil.
South32 holds 47.10% of the shares in Mozambique Aluminum Company, Mitsubishi Corporation Metals Holding GmbH holds 25% of the shares, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited holds 24% of the shares, and the government of the Republic of Mozambique holds 3.90% of the shares.
The initial annual output of the smelter was 250000 tons, and it was subsequently expanded from 2003 to 2004. Now, it is the largest aluminum producer in Mozambique and the second largest aluminum producer in Africa, with an annual output of approximately 580000 tons. It accounts for 30% of Mozambique’s official exports and also consumes 45% of Mozambique’s electricity.
MOZAL has also started supplying to Mozambique’s first downstream aluminum enterprise, and the development of this downstream industry will promote the local economy.
3. EGYPTALUM (Egypt)
Egyptalum is located 100 kilometers north of Luxor city. The Egyptian Aluminum Company is the largest aluminum producer in Egypt and one of the largest aluminum producers in Africa, with an annual total production capacity of 320000 tons. The Aswan Dam provided the company with the necessary electricity.
By fully paying attention to the care of workers and leaders, relentlessly pursuing the highest level of quality and keeping pace with every development in the aluminum industry, Egyptian Aluminum Company has become one of the major international companies in this field. They work with sincerity and dedication, driving the company towards sustainability and leadership.
On January 25, 2021, Hisham Tawfik, the Minister of Public Utilities, announced that the Egyptian government is warming up to implement modernization projects for Egyptalum, a national aluminum company listed in EGX as the Egyptian Aluminum Industry (EGAL).
Tawfik also stated, “Project consultant Bechtel from the United States is expected to complete the feasibility study of the project by mid-2021.
Egyptian Aluminum Company is a subsidiary of Metallurgical Industry Holding Company, and both companies are under the public commercial sector.
4. VALCO (Ghana)
VALCO’s aluminum smelter in Ghana is the first world industrial park in a developing country. VALCO’s rated production capacity is 200000 metric tons of primary aluminum per year; However, currently, the company only operates 20% of it, and building a facility of such scale and capacity would require an investment of $1.2 billion.
VALCO is a limited liability company owned by the Ghanaian government and continues to play a key role in the government’s efforts to develop the Integrated Aluminum Industry (IAI). Using VALCO as the backbone of the IAI project, Ghana is preparing to add value to its over 700 million ton bauxite deposits in Kibi and Nyinahin, creating over $105 trillion in value and approximately 2.3 million good and sustainable employment opportunities. The feasibility study of VALCO smelter confirms that VALCO will become the mainstream of Ghana’s development agenda and the true pillar of Ghana’s comprehensive aluminum industry.
VALCO is currently an active force in Ghana’s downstream aluminum industry through metal supply and related employment benefits. In addition, VALCO’s positioning can also meet the expected growth of Ghana’s downstream aluminum industry.
5. ALUCAM (Cameroon)
Alucam is an aluminum production company based in Cameroon. It was created by P é chiney Ugine. The smelter is located in Ed é a, the capital of the Sanaga Maritime department in the coastal region, 67 kilometers away from Douala.
Alucam’s annual production capacity is around 100000, but due to abnormal power supply, it has not been able to achieve the production target.
Post time: Mar-11-2025