Aluminium prices rise as Biden weighs new Russian sanctions 

The Aughinish Alumina Refinery on the Shannon Estuary is owned by Russian firm Rusal 

Prices of aluminium and nickel advanced on speculation that a fresh wave of US sanctions against Russia may target metals and disrupt supplies. Any move may put fresh focus on Aughinish Alumina in the Shannon Estuary, which is owned by Russia's Rusal. 

US president Joe Biden said the US plans to unveil a “major” sanctions package against Moscow on Friday, although he wasn’t specific about which industries would be affected. Traders have been on the lookout for new restrictions on Russian metals, which had escaped broad sanctions until the UK announced its own curbs in December.