Alumina
- Aluminium - in its mineral form of bauxite - is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust. In 1901, WA government mineralogist Edward Simpson identified "the aluminous nature of some Darling Range laterites", but it wasn't until 1938 that the widespread occurrence of bauxite throughout the Darling Range laterites was recognised.
- Western Mining Corporation was the first company to begin a detailed study of the Darling Range bauxites in 1953. In 1963/65 the first WA mine at Jarrahdale opened and Alcoa began production of alumina at Kwinana. Since then deposits have been discovered in the Kimberley region and bauxite has been mined and alumina produced from operations at Huntly/Pinjarra, Mt Saddleback, and Willowdale/Wagerup.
- Bauxite is extracted through the open cut method which involves the removal of the topsoil to expose the ore. After extraction, the bauxite is crushed, washed and dried then transported to a refinery for the first stage of the refining process. Western Australia has four alumina refineries, at Wagerup, Pinjarra, Kwinana and Collie.
- Bauxite is used in the production of high-alumina cement, as an absorbent or catalyst in the oil industry, in welding rod coatings and as a flux for making steel. Over 90% of alumina is refined into Aluminium. It is also used as an abrasive, in the manufacture of ceramics and glass and as a refractory material. Hydrated alumina is used to make chemicals for water purification, in pharmaceuticals, as a fire retardant in the backing of carpets, in detergents and in paper making.
- Aluminium is second to iron as the most useful metal. It is very ductile and malleable and can be easily shaped, cast, rolled, forged, extruded, drawn and machined. It is chemically stable and will not react with most foods, therefore is a popular material for household pots and pans, foil, food and cool drink packages.
- Sales totalled $4.7 billion for alumina in 2007 making it the fourth most valuable resource in Western Australia.
To download a copy of the Aluminium fact sheet click here.
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| Major Mineral and Petroleum Projects in Western Australia (530.84 KB .pdf) |
