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Bauxite

Bauxite is a sedimentary rock and the primary ore from which aluminium is extracted. It consists mainly of aluminium hydroxide minerals, including gibbsite, boehmite and diaspore, mixed with iron oxides, clays and other impurities that give it a characteristic reddish-brown colour. The ore forms through the weathering of aluminium-rich rocks in tropical and subtropical climates over millions of years. Bauxite is mined using openpit methods in countries across Africa, South America, Asia and Australia, with Guinea, Australia, China, Brazil and India among the world's largest producers. The ore is processed through the Bayer process to produce alumina (aluminium oxide), which is then smelted using electrolysis to yield metallic aluminium. Bauxite mining and alumina refining are energy-intensive operations that require substantial infrastructure, including rail and port facilities for export. The aluminium derived from bauxite is used extensively in transport, construction, packaging, electrical transmission and consumer goods due to its light weight, strength and corrosion resistance. Global demand for bauxite is driven by aluminium consumption in automotive, aerospace and renewable-energy sectors. Major bauxite deposits in Africa include those in Guinea, Ghana, Mozambique and Cameroon, where projects are at various stages of development and production. The commodity is typically priced on a cost-plus basis linked to alumina and aluminium prices on international markets.

Bauxite News


Bauxite being loaded onto a ship at a Guinea port
Guinea picks Glencore as offtaker for State-owned bauxite miner
7th August 2026 By: Bloomberg

Guinea picked Glencore as offtaker to buy bauxite produced by State-owned Nimba Mining Co, as the West African nation looks to manage more closely export flows of the aluminum feedstock. Glencore... 


Bauxite operations at Tinguilinta
Nimba secures mining convention
6th August 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Guinea bauxite miner Nimba Mining Company (NMC) reports that the signing of its mining convention has been concluded, establishing a clear and stable legal framework for the company to conduct... 


A nickel smelter in Indonesia
Indonesia resumes exports of minerals containing rare earth byproducts, official says
3rd August 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia has resumed exports of minerals that may contain rare earth elements as byproducts, the president's office said on Monday, following complaints from the metals industry about shipment... 


Creamer Media over for Africa Mining Pip 2026 report
Africa Mining Projects in Progress 2026
30th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Africa has a large and varied mining project pipeline, with projects at different stages of development, from early exploration and study work to financing, construction and expansion. These... 


Nickel smelting
Indonesia nickel smelter group says exports still delayed by rare earth checks
29th July 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia's nickel smelter group FINI said on Wednesday that exporters were still waiting for about 120 surveyor reports to be issued in order to resume shipments, despite a pledge by the... 


HÉRA MPONDO 
Every tonne that moves from the informal to the formal economy is revenue for the State, bargaining power for communities and derisked supply for offtakers
Central Africa must embrace three key drivers, advisory finds
24th July 2026

Central Africa has entered a decisive phase in the global competition for critical minerals – one in which market access will increasingly be earned through three drivers: namely traceability,... 


Bauxite being loaded onto a ship in Guinea
Guinea first-half bauxite exports hit record high on Chinese demand
23rd July 2026 By: Reuters

Guinea's bauxite exports jumped 15% to a record high in the first half of 2026, official data showed, driven by robust Chinese demand despite mounting pressure on smaller producers from rising fuel... 


Bauxite in hand
Brazilian Rare Earths spinoff Alurion gets maximum A$50m subscription in IPO
22nd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Brazilian Rare Earths' spinoff company Alurion Resources has successfully raised A$50-million with its initial public offering (IPO) on the ASX. Demand for the IPO exceeded expectations,... 


A shipping container made to look like a keyring with the shape of Africa as part of it
Shipping company promotes mineral exports from Cameroon port
17th July 2026

Following its January announcement that it would strengthen its long-established intermodal capabilities, global container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) announced in May... 


South32 COO Africa Noel Pillay.
Alcoa is well positioned to operate South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium, says Pillay
17th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

As a global producer of materials across the aluminium value chain, Alcoa Corporation is well positioned to operate South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium business into the future, South32 COO Africa... 


Gallium
Alcoa greenlights Australia gallium plant with US, Japan and domestic backing
15th July 2026 By: Reuters

Bauxite and aluminium producer Alcoa Corporation said on Tuesday it has reached a final investment decision to set up a gallium plant at its Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, with... 


Ore in truck
China expands strategic mineral toolkit with new investment firm
13th July 2026 By: Bloomberg

A new, Beijing-backed mining investment vehicle is aimed at bolstering China’s grip on overseas resources, as the country pushes back against US and European efforts to curb its dominance of the... 


Location map of the Minim Martap
Minim Martap bauxite project, Cameroon – update
3rd July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project’s locomotives have been delivered. 


South Africa's Hillside Aluminium in KwaZulu-Natal.
South32 deal enabling Alcoa to surpass Rio as world’s biggest bauxite miner
2nd July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

With the acquisition of South32’s aluminium assets, Alcoa will surpass Rio Tinto to become the world's largest bauxite mining company on an equity-attributable production basis, with global share... 


Alcoa President and CEO Bill Oplinger.
Alcoa sees South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium being 'cash flow accretive immediately'
2nd July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

This asset adds scale to our smelting portfolio in a way that is expected to be cash flow accretive immediately, Alcoa Corporation President and CEO William (Bill) F Oplinger said of South Africa’s... 


South32 COO Africa Noel Pillay.
Alcoa is well positioned to operate South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium, says Pillay
1st July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

As a global producer of materials across the aluminium value chain, Alcoa Corporation is well positioned to operate South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium business into the future, South32 COO Africa... 


VBX's Wuudagu project location relative to other points of interest
Emerging bauxite producer VBX secures term sheet for offtake, prepayment facility
1st July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed emerging bauxite producer VBX has secured an indicative term sheet for a A$10-million prepayment and offtake facility with materials distribution and supply chain service provider... 


Guinea Mines Minister Bouna Sylla
Guinea plans regional gold refining hub as West African race intensifies
29th June 2026 By: Reuters

Guinea aims to become a regional gold refining hub, its mines minister said, joining a broader push by West African producers to process bullion locally rather than exporting it to the Middle East... 


ERG's vertical bauxite mining
Eurasian Resources Group, BAUER launches world's first vertical bauxite mining project
26th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

The Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit (KBRU) of Aluminium of Kazakhstan, owned by Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a leading global metals and mining company, has officially launched a project... 


Canyon receives locomotives for Minim Martap project, trial mining to start in Q3
Canyon receives locomotives for Minim Martap project, trial mining to start in Q3
26th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-listed Canyon Resources reports that locomotives were successfully delivered to its subsidiary, Camalco Cameroon, in June, marking a milestone in the development of the company’s mine-to-port... 


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pqt: 0.087s - ct: 0.136s - 277pq - 2rq
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