BAUXITE is a naturally occurring, heterogeneous material composed primarily of one or more aluminum hydroxide minerals, plus various mixtures of silica, iron oxide, titania, aluminosilicate, and other impurities in minor or trace amounts. The principal aluminum hydroxide minerals found in varying proportions with bauxites are gibbsite and the polymorphs boehmite and diaspore. Bauxites are typically classified according to their intended commercial application: abrasive, cement, chemical, metallurgical, refractory, etc. The bulk of world bauxite production (approximately 85%) is used as feed for the manufacture of alumina via a wet chemical caustic leach method commonly known as the Bayer process. Subsequently, the majority of the resulting alumina produced from this refining process is in turn employed as the feedstock for the production of aluminum metal by the electrolytic reduction of alumina in a molten bath of natural or synthetic cryolite (Na3AlF6), the Hall-Héroult process.

The Amazon region continues to offer potential for major undiscovered mineral wealth in addition to the large reserves of iron ore, manganese, bauxite, gold and tin. Investments in the Brazilian mining industry are expected to continue to enhance exploration and mine development activities. Brazil gold production could increase significantly in the foreseeable future because of the growth of the Brazilian copper production and increased interest by domestic and foreign investors in largely unexplored areas. Brazil's dynamic and diverse economy coupled with its sizable consuming market and its membership in the MERCOSUR is expected to continue to attract the interest of domestic and international investors. Click Here for more...