Aluminium

Aluminium is produced from bauxite ore to create a highly versatile material that plays an indispensable role in car-making and many other sectors.

Aluminium (Al)

Bauxite ore is the primary source of aluminium, the second most abundant metallic element on earth, which is essential for countless industries due to its varied uses and applications. These include transportation, construction and packaging, among many others. The largest producer of bauxite is Guinea, which is also home to the largest known reserves. Other top producers include Australia, China, Brazil, and Indonesia. Bauxite mining has been associated with pollution and company-community conflict. Perceptions of ESG risks will increase as Guinea – a country with weak governance infrastructure – becomes an increasingly important producer.

Note: Production data in this profile refers to bauxite. The analysis covers both bauxite and its transformation into aluminium.

Main uses and applications

Bauxite is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock. It is the world’s main source of aluminium and gallium and contains traces of rare earth elements. It is the only ore used for large-scale aluminium production. Physically, bauxite is a soft material ranging from white, grey and reddish-brown hues.

The main applications of bauxite are in abrasives, cement, chemicals, petroleum, metallurgy (or the extraction of alumina) and refractories. A majority of global bauxite production is used for alumina manufacturing. Aluminium, meanwhile, is used across industries from packaging and construction to original equipment manufacturing (OEM), where it is an essential lightweight input for aeroplanes, vehicles, spacecraft, and trains. It is also a common component of consumer electronics and a wide variety of consumer goods.