Bauxite Mining
“Mining eliminates the entire forest ecosystem both above and below ground. Following clearing no native plant or animal survives.”
August 8, 2007 Roger Underwood
What is bauxite?
Bauxite is the main raw material used in the commercial production of alumina (Al2O3) and aluminium metal globally. It is a naturally occurring material of varying composition that is relatively rich in aluminium. The principal minerals in bauxite are gibbsite (Al2O3.3H2O), boehmite (Al2O3.H2O) and diaspore.*
Western Australian bauxite is typically lower grade than the global average (around 32 per cent) but has low amounts of reactive silica and is located close to a skilled workforce, processing facilities and infrastructure. WA bauxite tends to be close to surface and is generally extracted using open cut mining. Known global bauxite reserves can meet total demand for centuries.**
Bauxite is currently mined at Weipa (Qld), Gove (NT) and the Darling Range (WA), but other areas of potential include the Mitchell Plateau and Cape Bougainville (WA), Cape York (Qld), central New South Wales and parts of Tasmania.*
* Australian Government Geoscience
** Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
The forest is cleared before mining
