Which Countries Lead Global Aluminum Production? A Geographic Supply Chain Analysis

Understanding aluminum’s global supply landscape requires examining not just production figures, but where this critical industrial metal is actually found and processed. Aluminum ranks as one of Earth’s most abundant metals, yet what country produces aluminum depends on a complex chain of bauxite mining, alumina refining, and metal smelting operations spread across multiple continents.

The Raw Material: Where Does Aluminum Come From?

Aluminum itself rarely exists as a free metal in nature, meaning mining operations don’t extract aluminum directly. Instead, companies extract bauxite—the primary ore from which aluminum is ultimately derived. The processing follows a strict chemical ratio: approximately 4 tons of dried bauxite yields 2 tons of alumina, which in turn produces 1 ton of finished aluminum.

Global bauxite reserves are estimated between 55-75 billion metric tons according to the US Geological Survey, with deposits concentrated across Africa, Oceania, South America, the Caribbean and Asia. As of 2024, proven reserves stood at 29 billion metric tons. Guinea, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil hold the largest reserve positions, yet their production capabilities differ significantly.

In 2024, Guinea dominated bauxite extraction at 130 million metric tons, followed by Australia (100 million MT) and China (93 million MT). India and Brazil completed the top five with 32 and 33 million metric tons respectively. However, bauxite mining represents just the first stage; what really determines which country produces aluminum depends on refining infrastructure.

Alumina Processing: The Manufacturing Bottleneck

China emerged as the dominant alumina producer, accounting for nearly 60% of global supply at 84 million metric tons in 2024. This intermediate processing step concentrated in China creates a critical supply chokepoint. Australia ranks second with 18 million metric tons (over 13% of global supply), while Brazil, India, and Russia round out the leading five producers.

The World’s Top Aluminum Producers in 2024

Global aluminum output reached 72 million metric tons in 2024, up from 70 million MT in 2023. Here’s how production distributes across the major producing nations:

1. China commands the market with 43 million metric tons—nearly 60% of total global output. Beyond smelting capacity, China also dominates the alumina supply chain at 84 million metric tons annually. The nation simultaneously produces 93 million metric tons of bauxite. China’s share has expanded as manufacturers increased production preemptively in response to anticipated US tariff policies. Chinese aluminum represented only 3% of US imports in 2024, following the Biden Administration’s September increase to 25% tariffs on Chinese aluminum products. The Trump Administration layered an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports in February 2025.

2. India produced 4.2 million metric tons of aluminum in 2024, continuing its upward trajectory. The nation’s output has grown consistently, with 2021 marking India’s overtaking of Russia for the second-place position. India simultaneously generates 7.6 million metric tons of alumina and extracts 25 million metric tons of bauxite. Hindalco Industries, headquartered in Mumbai, operates as the world’s leading aluminum-rolling company, while Vedanta reportedly committed US$1 billion toward aluminum operations in 2024. India’s exporters face limited exposure to the European Union’s new carbon border adjustment mechanisms launching in 2026, given India’s modest share of EU aluminum supplies.

3. Russia smelted 3.8 million metric tons of aluminum in 2024, marginally higher than 2023’s 3.7 million MT. RUSAL, a leading global aluminum producer headquartered in Moscow, faces ongoing geopolitical headwinds. Western sanctions following the Ukraine invasion were projected to constrain aluminum supply contributions; however, China absorbed much of Russian export volume, with RUSAL reporting year-on-year revenues from aluminum exports to China nearly doubling in 2023. April 2024 saw coordinated US-UK action banning Russian aluminum imports into both territories and restricting secondary market trading. By November 2024, RUSAL announced plans to reduce aluminum production by at least 6%, citing elevated alumina costs and weakening domestic demand.

4. Canada generated 3.3 million metric tons of aluminum in 2024, slightly above 2023’s 3.2 million MT. Rio Tinto operates approximately 16 facilities across the country. Quebec dominates Canadian aluminum geography, housing nine of the nation’s ten primary aluminum smelters plus one alumina refinery, while British Columbia hosts the remaining smelter. Canada supplied 56% of all US aluminum imports during 2024. However, Trump Administration tariffs of 25% on Canadian aluminum implemented in February 2025 may alter this supplier relationship significantly.

5. United Arab Emirates produced 2.7 million metric tons in 2024, maintaining steady output levels from prior years (2.63 million MT in 2023). Emirates Global Aluminum represents the Middle East’s largest aluminum producer, contributing nearly 4% to global supply. The UAE accounted for 8% of US aluminum imports in 2024, positioning it as America’s second-largest aluminum source.

6. Bahrain smelted 1.6 million metric tons of aluminum in 2024, nearly equivalent to 2023’s 1.62 million metric tons. Aluminum exports generated approximately US$3 billion in revenue for the nation in 2023. The Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill, established in 1981, operated as the Middle East’s pioneering aluminum facility with annual capacity exceeding 165,000 metric tons of flat-rolled products.

7. Australia produced 1.5 million metric tons of aluminum in 2024, slightly down from 2023’s 1.56 million MT. Australia’s position reflects not just smelting operations but broader mineral wealth: the nation generated 18 million metric tons of alumina and 100 million metric tons of bauxite. Rio Tinto operates two of Australia’s four aluminum smelters. However, Australia struggles with energy cost burdens that make it one of the world’s most emissions-intensive aluminum producers, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Alcoa operates two bauxite mines, two alumina refineries, and one smelter in Australia; in January 2024 it curtailed production at its Kwinana alumina refinery due to economic pressures.

8. Norway generated 1.3 million metric tons of aluminum in 2024, holding steady with prior-year levels. The nation functions as the European Union’s largest primary aluminum exporter. Norsk Hydro operates Europe’s largest primary aluminum plant at Sunndal plus multiple additional facilities. The company initiated a three-year industrial-scale pilot in June 2024 to test green hydrogen applications in aluminum recycling at its Høyanger facility. In January 2025, Norsk Hydro and Rio Tinto jointly announced plans to invest US$45 million in carbon capture technology over five years to reduce smelting emissions.

9. Brazil smelted 1.1 million metric tons of aluminum in 2024, up from 1.02 million MT in 2023. Brazil’s status as holder of the world’s fourth-largest bauxite reserves (2.7 billion MT) and position as the fourth-largest bauxite producer (33 million MT) and third-largest alumina producer (11 million MT) positions the nation for expanded market participation. Industry leaders plan investments of 30 billion Brazilian reals by 2025. Albras, the nation’s primary aluminum producer with 460,000 metric tons of annual capacity, operates as a 51/49 joint venture between Norsk Hydro and Nippon Amazon Aluminum Co. In August 2024, Mitsui & Co increased its NAAC stake from 21% to 46% to expand green aluminum offtake. Brazil also faces Trump Administration tariffs at 25% on steel and aluminum imports.

10. Malaysia produced 870,000 metric tons of aluminum in 2024, declining from 2023’s 940,000 metric tons. Malaysia’s dramatic expansion over the past decade—from just 121,900 MT in 2012—demonstrates rapid capacity growth. Alcom serves as both the nation’s largest aluminum producer and largest rolled aluminum products manufacturer. Chinese firms increasingly establish smelting operations in Malaysia, with the Bosai group planning a 1 million MT annual facility in the country.

Market Implications and Supply Chain Concentration

The distribution of aluminum production globally reveals significant geographic clustering and geopolitical vulnerabilities. China’s dominance across multiple supply chain stages—from bauxite mining through alumina production to final smelting—creates concentration risk, while Western producers face escalating tariffs and energy cost pressures. Understanding which country produces aluminum at scale requires looking beyond simple production rankings to the integrated supply networks spanning mineral extraction, chemical processing, and metal smelting across continents.