BAUXITE
Bauxite is the principal ore of aluminium and the feedstock for alumina. After chemical refining (Bayer process), alumina is reduced by electrolysis to primary aluminium. The same mineral also supplies cement, abrasives, high-strength proppants, emery, alum and other industrial uses.
Two commercial families matter in trade:
- Metallurgical bauxite — feedstock for alumina refineries and aluminium smelters
- Non-metallurgical bauxite — cement, chemicals and specialty applications
World mine output is on the order of 430–440 million metric tonnes a year. Leading producers are Guinea, Australia, China, Brazil and India. Identified resources are estimated at 55–75 billion tonnes, concentrated in Africa (~32%), Oceania (~23%), South America and the Caribbean (~21%) and Asia (~18%).
Ametheus sources metallurgical and cement-grade bauxite directly from established miners in India, Jamaica, Turkey and West Africa, with quality control, logistics and shipping support matched to refinery and cement-plant specifications.
Metallurgical-grade bauxite
| Contents | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al₂O₃ | 44% min | 42% min | 42% min |
| SiO₂ | 8% max | 8% max | 7% max |
| Fe₂O₃ | 18% max | 20% max | 25% max |
| TiO₂ | 3.5% max | 3.5% max | 3.5% max |
| CaO | 3.0% max | 3.0% max | 3.0% max |
| Moisture | 10% max | 10% max | 10% max |
| Size 0–100 mm | 95% | 95% | 95% |
| Monohydrates | 3% max | 3% max | 3% max |
These ranges are accepted by metallurgical refineries worldwide. Other assays can be offered against buyer specs.
Cement-grade bauxite
| Contents | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al₂O₃ | 42% min | 40% min | 38% min |
| SiO₂ | 12% max | 14% max | 14% max |
| Fe₂O₃ | 20% max | 25% max | 25% max |
| TiO₂ | 3.0% max | 3.0% max | 3.0% max |
| CaO | 3.0% max | 5.0% max | 5.0% max |
| Moisture | 10% max | 10% max | 10% max |
| Size 0–100 mm | 95% | 95% | 95% |
These ranges are accepted by cement producers worldwide.
Typical high-grade cargo (indicative)
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Al₂O₃ | 47–48% |
| Fe₂O₃ | 15–16% |
| SiO₂ | 3–4% |
| TiO₂ | 6–7% |
| LOI | 25–27% |
| Moisture | 10–12% |
From bauxite to metal
Bauxite → Alumina → Aluminium
Most bauxite is refined to alumina, then smelted. Conventional Hall–Héroult cells use carbon anodes. ELYSIS (Alcoa–Rio Tinto) is the leading inert-anode route that eliminates direct process CO₂ and emits oxygen instead; first commercial-scale cells are in demonstration, with wider rollout targeted later this decade. Ametheus supplies the upstream ore and can align cargo quality with both conventional and next-generation smelter feed requirements.
Enquiries: consistent quality, nominated specs, and full logistics support.
Contact: [email protected]
