Bauxite

Bauxite (/ˈbɔːksaɪt/) is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminium content. It is the world's main source of aluminium and gallium. Bauxite consists mostly of the aluminium minerals gibbsite (Al(OH)3), boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)) and diaspore (α-AlO(OH)), mixed with the two iron oxides goethite (FeO(OH)) and haematite (Fe2O3), the aluminium clay mineral kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) and small amounts of anatase (TiO2) and ilmenite (FeTiO3 or FeO·TiO2). Bauxite appears dull in luster and is reddish-brown, white, or tan.

This article is about the ore. For the town in Arkansas, see Bauxite, Arkansas.

In 1821, the French geologist Pierre Berthier discovered bauxite near the village of Les Baux in Provence, southern France.

Bauxite extraction and refining has numerous negative consequences to the environment and to people. The negative impacts are well document and there are many examples from all over the world. These impacts include the destruction of the environment, water, and air soil pollution and soil degredation.

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