Bauxite

Bauxite, an aluminium ore, is the world's main source of aluminium. It consists mostly of the minerals gibbsite Al(OH)3, boehmite γ-AlO(OH) and diaspore α-AlO(OH), mixed with the two iron oxides goethite and haematite, the clay mineral kaolinite and small amounts of anatase TiO2, Ilmenite, FeTiO3, and FeO TiO2. The ore must first be chemically processed to produce alumina (aluminum oxide). Alumina is then smelted using an electrolysis process to produce pure aluminum metal. Bauxite is currently the only raw material used in the commercial production of alumina which in turn is converted to aluminium metal. There are many other sources of alumina but these require different processing routes and technologies and at this point in time are not cost competitive.

Specification:

Bauxite is a soft, whitish to reddish-brown rock consisting mainly of hydrous aluminum oxides and aluminum hydroxides along with silica, silt, iron hydroxides, and clay minerals. Bauxite is a major source of aluminium. Bauxite is a raw material consisting mainly of alumina-bearing hydroxides, oxides of iron, silicon and titanium with impurities of Ca, Mg, Cr, V, P, Ga and other elements. Basic alumina containing minerals of bauxites are gibbsite Al(OH)3, Boehmite g-AlO(OH) and Diaspore a-AlO(OH). Besides, bauxite contain minerals of iron: hematite a-Fe2O3, goethite a-FeO(OH), silica as quartz a-SiO2 and Kaolinite Al2[Si2O5](OH)4, Titanium Dioxide as Anatase and Rutile. Carbonates of Ca & Mg, Sulphur, impurities of organic substances are also present in smaller quantities in Bauxite.

About 85% of bauxite mined worldwide is used to produce alumina for refining into Aluminium metal and 15% of bauxite goes into refractory, chemical, cement, abrasives and other applications.

Aluminium is possibly the most versatile product with applications in almost every industry. Since bauxite is the primary source for Aluminium it will always be in great demand.

Take-Away Facts

Aluminum must be refined from ore
Although aluminum is the most common metal found on Earth (totaling 8 percent of the planet’s crust), the metal is too reactive with other elements to occur naturally. Bauxite ore, refined through two processes, is the primary source of aluminum.
Land conservation is a key industry focus
An average of 80 percent of the land mined for bauxite is returned to its native ecosystem. Topsoil from the mining site is stored so it can be replaced during the rehabilitation process.
Reserves will last for centuries
Although demand for aluminum is increasing rapidly, bauxite reserves, currently estimated at 40 to 75 billion metric tons, are projected to last for centuries. Guinea and Australia have the two largest proven reserves.
A wealth of bauxite reserves
Vietnam may hold a wealth of bauxite. In November 2010, the prime minister of Vietnam announced the country’s bauxite reserves may total up to 11 billion tons.

Traditional uses of bauxite

High quality Ashapura Bauxite is successfully used for metallurgical grade alumina production besides applications in the cement industry, alumina chemical, steel, alum, energy industries, flame-retardants etc.

Aluminium Cement
Chemical Blast Furnaces
Iron/Steel Ladles Torpedo Cars
Electric Arc furnaces Tundishes
Soaking Pits Reheat/Soaking Pits
Open Hearth