By Caleb Afari
Bauxite ore is the world’s main source of aluminum. But then, the ore must first be chemically processed to produce alumina (aluminum oxide).
Bauxite is primarily composed of aluminum oxide minerals such as gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore. It is the world’s main source of aluminum and is crucial for a wide range of applications due to aluminum’s light weight, malleability, and resistance to corrosion.
The Basic Element of Aluminum Production
Bauxite is a rock formed from a reddish clay material called laterite soil and is most commonly found in tropical or subtropical regions. Bauxite is primarily comprised of aluminum oxide compounds (alumina), silica, iron oxides, and titanium dioxide. Approximately 70 percent of the world’s bauxite production is refined through the Bayer chemical process into alumina. Alumina is then refined into pure aluminum metal through the Hall–Héroult electrolytic process.
Mining bauxite
Bauxite is usually found near the surface of terrain and can be strip-mined economically. The industry has taken a leadership role in environmental conservation efforts. When the land is cleared prior to mining, the topsoil is stored so it can be replaced during rehabilitation. During the strip-mining process, bauxite is broken up and taken out of the mine to an alumina refinery. Once mining is complete, the topsoil is replaced and the area undergoes a restoration process. When the ore is mined in forested areas, an average of 80 percent of the land is returned to its native ecosystem.
Les Baux, the Home of Bauxite
Bauxite was named after the village of Les Baux by Pierre Berthe. This French geologist found the ore in nearby deposits. He was the first to discover that bauxite contained aluminum.
Usefulness of Bauxite
The primary use of bauxite is in the production of aluminum. Aluminum produced from bauxite is used in various industries, including:
– Transportation: Aluminum is used to manufacture cars, planes, trucks, and marine vessels due to its strength and lightweight nature, which improves fuel efficiency.
– Construction: It’s used in building materials for windows, doors, siding, and roofing.
– Packaging: Aluminum’s non-toxic property makes it ideal for packaging food and beverages.
– Electrical: Due to its excellent conductivity, aluminum is widely used in electrical transmission lines.
– Consumer Goods: It’s found in household items like cookware, appliances, and smartphones.
Africa’s bauxite production in 2019 was more than 66 million metric tonnes, most of which was produced in the West African country of Guinea. Guinea and Mozambique are two of the top four bauxite exporting countries in Africa.
The sedimentary rock, which was first discovered by French geologist Pierre Berthe in the early 1800s, is the world’s primary source of aluminium and gallium.
Usually found near the earth’s surface, the main composition of raw bauxite is mostly alumina, silica, titanium dioxide, and iron oxides.
About 85% of the bauxite produced in the world is converted into aluminium because of its various industrial uses. The aluminium derived from bauxite is used in everything from foil for packaging, to vital components in automobiles, solar panels, and aerospace technology.
Recent findings revealed that at least one-third of the world’s proven bauxite reserves can be found in just three African countries – Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
According to Statista.com, Africa’s bauxite production in 2019 was more than 66 million metric tonnes, most of which was produced by Guinea.
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Source: www.aluminium.org , www.nsenergybusiness.com ,
