Friday, October 31 2025
Guangxi Branch (CHALCO) +
The Guangxi Branch of Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (CHALCO) began as Pingguo Aluminum Company, founded in 1987. After more than three decades of construction and development, it has evolved into a large integrated aluminum production enterprise with a current alumina production capacity of 2,500,000 tons per year. The facility operates comprehensive production lines including alumina refining, primary aluminum smelting, carbon products, bauxite mining, and waste heat power generation.
The company's Red Mud Iron Recovery Project stands as China's first industrialized facility to recover iron concentrate from red mud, positioning it at the forefront of the industry. With iron content in the red mud ranging from 22-28%, the facility has successfully produced approximately 7 million tons of hematite concentrate containing more than 55% iron since operations began between 2010-2015. This innovative project generates annual profits of RMB 70-80 million while achieving a red mud emission reduction rate exceeding 23% annually.
The two-stage high-gradient magnetic separation process represents proprietary technology protected by two national patents, truly embodying the principle of "turning waste into treasure, turning harm into benefit." The company continues to research processes for recovering iron concentrate from red mud with approximately 45% iron content, striving to further reduce stockpiles, increase utilization rates to 33%, and extend the lifespan of red mud disposal sites while contributing to sustainable development.
Location: Pingguo, Guangxi, China
Overview: Large integrated aluminum production enterprise and wholly-owned subsidiary of CHALCO, operational since 1987.
Production Capacity (2020):
- Alumina: 2,500,000 tpy
- Primary Aluminum: 150,000 tpy
- Carbon Products: 67,000 tpy
- Bauxite: 4,080,000 tpy
- Limestone: 280,000 tpy
- Waste Heat Power Generation: 116 MW
Red Mud Iron Recovery:
- Annual recovery capacity: 700,000 tons of hematite concentrate (>55% iron)
- Total production through 2023: ~7 million tons
- Annual profit: RMB 70-80 million
- Red mud reduction rate: >23% annually
- Comprehensive utilization rate: 33%
- Technology: Two-stage high-gradient magnetic separation (2 national patents)
Innovation: China's first industrialized red mud iron recovery project, pioneering sustainable waste utilization
Guangxi Hualei New Materials Co., Ltd. +
Guangxi Hualei New Materials Co., Ltd. is a joint aluminum-power enterprise established with investment from Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco), Baise City, and Pingguo City in a 4:4:2 ratio, representing a total investment of RMB 6.1 billion. Construction began on July 15, 2016, with the first electrolytic cells commissioned on September 25, 2017, and full completion achieved in May 2018. As the core project of the "Guangxi Baise Ecological Aluminum Industry Demonstration Base" approved by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2011, it serves as an important pillar of Guangxi's aluminum industry development.
The facility operates 300 GP500kA large-scale energy-saving electrolytic cells with an annual production capacity of 400,000 tons of molten aluminum. By adopting advanced technologies including intelligent crust-breaking systems, dual-pipe flue gas collection, anode coatings, and fully graphitized low-energy cathodes, the company has optimized processes to reduce carbon emissions, lower production costs, and improve technical performance. All molten aluminum produced is supplied to enterprises in the nearby Pingguo Industrial Zone.
The integrated power plant features three 350 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired generating units with an annual generation capacity of 6.2 billion kWh. As part of the aluminum-power integration, the plant converts AC power to DC for the smelter, provides heat to CHALCO Guangxi's alumina refinery, and connects to the Baise regional grid via 220 kV transmission lines. In 2024, the company achieved recognition as the only electrolytic aluminum enterprise listed among China's "Energy Efficiency Benchmarking Enterprises" by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and successfully met its target of providing uninterrupted steam supply for all 366 days of the year.
Location: Pingguo, Baise, Guangxi, China
Overview: Joint aluminum-power enterprise commissioned in 2017-2018, core project of Guangxi Baise Ecological Aluminum Industry Demonstration Base.
Investment & Ownership:
- Total investment: RMB 6.1 billion
- Ownership structure: Chalco (40%), Baise City (40%), Pingguo City (20%)
Electrolytic Aluminum Production:
- Equipment: 300 GP500kA large-scale energy-saving electrolytic cells
- Annual capacity: 400,000 tons of molten aluminum
- First production: September 25, 2017
- Advanced technologies: Intelligent crust-breaking, dual-pipe flue gas collection, anode coatings, fully graphitized low-energy cathodes
Power Plant:
- Equipment: 3 × 350 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired units
- Annual generation: 6.2 billion kWh
- Commissioning: December 2017 - May 2018
- Integration: AC to DC conversion for smelter, heat supply to CHALCO alumina refinery
- Achievement: 366 days of uninterrupted steam supply in 2024
Recognition: Only electrolytic aluminum company listed as "Energy Efficiency Benchmarking Enterprise" by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (2024)
