China aims to boost bauxite reserves, aluminum production

Employees check aluminum products at a plant in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. (Photo/CHINA DAILY)

China aims to increase its domestic bauxite reserves by 3 percent to 5 percent and boost recycled aluminum production to over 15 million metric tons by 2027, according to a newly released implementation plan.

According to the implementation plan for the high-quality development of the aluminum industry (2025-27), issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and nine other central government departments on Friday, China seeks to significantly enhance the resilience and security of its aluminum supply chain by 2027, with a globally leading position in the industry.

The plan has set specific targets for aspects such as strengthening raw material supply, optimizing industrial layout, advancing technological innovation, and promoting sustainable development.

For example, by 2027, domestic bauxite reserves are expected to grow by 3 percent to 5 percent, while recycled aluminum output to surpass 15 million tons. For industrial development, efforts will focus on boosting aluminum processing hubs, increasing the share of energy-efficient electrolytic aluminum capacity to over 30 percent, raising clean energy utilization to at least 30 percent, and improving the comprehensive utilization rate of newly generated red mud to over 15 percent. On the technological front, the industry aims to achieve breakthroughs in key areas such as low-carbon smelting and precision processing while fostering new growth drivers for aluminum consumption.

Looking further ahead, the plan envisions China spearheading the global aluminum industry by 2035, with a fully established high-quality development framework.