Bauxite

Bauxite is the source of aluminium, a highly versatile material that plays an indispensable role in car-making and many other sectors.

Bauxite

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 Australia and the world’s largest reserves are in Guinea. Bauxite 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 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. 

Key Industries

  • Key Industries Icon Construction
  • Key Industries Icon Energy
  • Key Industries Icon Ground Transport

Supply Chain Risk

TDi Sustainability's data rates Bauxite's association with the following issues as high or very high:

database icon Supply Chain Concentration Risk
shovel-pickaxe icon Strength of Association with ASM
Very Low Moderate Very High

Country Governance Risks

Bauxite's association with countries experiencing:

firearm icon Violence and Conflict
gavel-and-block icon Weak Rule of Law
group icon Poor Human Rights
building-leaf icon Poor Environmental Governance
Very Low Moderate Very High