Bauxite Mining: Process Description

Casting
Heattreating
Mining/Primary Processing
Recycle/Scrap Melting
Aluminum Casting
Aluminum Smelting
Anode Baking
Bauxite Mining
Bauxite Refining
Extrusion
Forging
Heat Treating
Molten Handling
Rolling

Bauxite is converted to alumina using the Bayer process. Bauxite is combined with caustic soda, lime, and steam to produce a sodium aluminate liquor. Impurities are filtered or settled out of the liquor and alumina hydrate is precipitated out of the mixture. The alumina hydrate is calcined to remove moisture and drive off the bonded water. The resulting alumina is ready for smelting into aluminum.