Bauxite
🪨 What is Bauxite?
- Bauxite is the primary ore of aluminium, composed mainly of hydrated aluminium oxides.
- It occurs predominantly as a capping layer on hills and plateaus, mostly associated with lateritic soils.
- Exceptions to this typical terrain include coastal deposits found in Gujarat and Goa.
- The main industrial use of bauxite is to produce alumina (aluminium oxide) via the Bayer process, which is the intermediate for producing aluminium metal.
- The global demand for aluminium (and hence bauxite) has increased significantly due to economic growth in emerging Asian economies, driven by sectors like construction, transport, packaging, and electronics.
🌍 World Distribution and Production
- As of 2015, the world’s bauxite reserves were estimated at 30 billion tonnes.
- Major reserves are concentrated in:
- Guinea (25%)
- Australia (20%)
- Vietnam (12%)
- Brazil (9%)
- Jamaica (7%)
- Indonesia (4%)
- China (3%)
- In terms of production, Australia leads with about 29% of global output, followed by:
- China (19%)
- Guinea (18%)
- Brazil (10%)
- India (7%)
🇮🇳 Bauxite Reserves and Production in India
- India’s major bauxite reserves are concentrated on the East Coast, mainly in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
- As of 2019, state-wise reserves are:
- Odisha: 51% of India’s total reserves
- Andhra Pradesh: 16%
- Gujarat: 9%
- Jharkhand: 6%
- Maharashtra: 5%
- Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh: 4% each
- Production-wise (2020 data), Odisha dominates with 71% of India’s bauxite output, followed by:
- Gujarat: 9%
- Jharkhand: 6%
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Bauxite is a critical mineral for India’s aluminium industry, a sector essential for infrastructure and manufacturing growth.
- Odisha is the most significant contributor to India’s bauxite reserves and production, highlighting its strategic importance in mining and industrial policy.
- The geographical association with laterites and specific coastal exceptions is important for mineral exploration strategies.
- Global bauxite demand trends reflect India’s need to augment its production and ensure sustainable mining to meet industrial needs.
- Understanding bauxite distribution and production is vital for topics in mineral resources, industrial development, and international trade.