Bauxite Production by Country
Bauxite production is a crucial part of the global economy, as this aluminum ore is integral for producing alumina that is then converted into aluminum used in semi-fabricated products like foil. Bauxite production varies by country, with Guinea, Australia, and China being the largest producers.
For a detailed analysis of global bauxite production trends and figures—broken down by region, key countries, and key mines—along with bauxite prices and relevant bauxite trade flows, subscribe to HARBOR’s Alumina & Bauxite Market Intelligence Report.
Where Is Bauxite Found?
Bauxite, which is a source of aluminum ore, is mined from bauxite rocks and then processed into aluminum oxide. Considerable deposits of this rock are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This valuable material usually rests along the surface of the earth or in sedimentary rock layers called "bauxitic clay." The most common bauxite mining methods include strip mining or open pit methods. After this material is mined, about 85% of the world’s bauxite goes to aluminum production, with the remaining typically going to other uses such as ceramics and cement manufacture.
Top 10 Bauxite-Producing Countries in the World
The world's largest bauxite-producing countries are a diverse group, with some factors contributing to the success of these top bauxite-producing regions. In general, top-producing countries have large amounts of land and resources available for mining, making them prime locations for companies seeking to extract bauxite.
These countries also tend to have access to major shipping routes, allowing them to easily export their finished product.
Responsible for a large percentage of the global bauxite output, the largest aluminum ore-producing countries include:
1. Australia
Australia is a world leader in bauxite production, with a total output of 110 million tons yearly according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The country boasts six bauxite mines — two in Western Australia and one each in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Of these mines, the two most prominent are located in Western Australia on the coast of the Indian Ocean and produce the majority of the country's bauxite output. In fact, the Weipa bauxite mine in Queensland, Australia, is the largest mine of its kind in the world and continually produces high ore grades. Although Australia has the second richest bauxite reserves worldwide, the country has adopted sustainable mining practices to ensure its resources remain secure for generations.
2. China
As the largest aluminum consumer and producer, China unsurprisingly holds the title of the second-largest producer of bauxite. The country has many large construction and other companies competing to utilize this natural resource. The largest of these include the Aluminium Corporation of China or Chinalco.
Overproduction has caused the country's reserves to decrease, but its deposits are still rich enough to supply the market with what it needs for years to come.
3. Guinea
Guinea is the third largest bauxite-producing country in the world, producing 85 million tons of bauxite a year. This region has rapidly climbed the ranks to become a major player in the global bauxite market and now reigns as the largest bauxite exporter in the world.
This West African country's largest mine is the Sangarédi mine. While no bauxite refineries exist within Guinea itself, this country succeeds at shipping the harvested sedimentary rock abroad for processing. Guinea's mining ambitions have been bolstered by its status as one of the richest bauxite-holding countries in the world.
4. Brazil
Of all the bauxite-producing countries in the world, Brazil is fourth on the list, with about 32 million tons produced annually.
The home of the world's largest aluminum refinery, Brazil also has an ingenious underground pipeline that carries bauxite from the mines to the refineries. This transport of bauxite through the Brazilian Mineracao Bauxita Paragominas pipeline was made possible by Vale. This Brazilian corporation is responsible for much of Brazil's mining operations as well as transportation systems that allow them to ship their products worldwide.
5. India
In addition to the 22 million tons of bauxite mined in India every year, seven smelting plants and nine aluminum refineries in the region currently produce aluminum products from this material. Most of India's bauxite is found in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states. Still, other states such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra also mine this lucrative material.
6. Indonesia
Indonesia is the sixth largest producer in the world, with around 18 million tons of bauxite produced each year. The country's reserves are located in Riau Islands, the Bangka Belitung Islands and West Kalimantan.
The country has had a history of exporting mineral resources, but recent concerns regarding the environmental impact of mining activities on the islands have slowed down this practice. Indonesia's government has also announced plans to ban mineral exports from some areas altogether in order to protect its natural resources and encourage domestic economic growth.
7. Russia
Russia is the world's seventh-largest producer of bauxite, with an annual output of 6.2 million tons. Mostly mined in the Northern Urals, where the majority of the nation's bauxite production takes place, Russia's supply greatly impacts the country's economy.
In recent years, sanctions and supply chain issues have hampered Russia's ability to produce more bauxite, but this has not stopped them from producing enough to rank in the top ten. Russia still produces more than 400 thousand tons per year above its closest competitor on this list — Jamaica.
8. Jamaica
Jamaica produces 5,800,000 tons of bauxite, making it the eighth-largest producer in the world. The country's bauxite is mined mainly in St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon parishes. Exported since the 1950s, most extracted Jamaican bauxite goes through refinement while the rest is shipped abroad. Bauxite mined in Jamaica is primarily exported to North American smelters, where it is processed into aluminum ingots before being sold globally for use in various industries.
The mining operations have significantly impacted the country's development, contributing to an increase in national income and employment opportunities for thousands of people across the island nation. Unfortunately, mining has also caused environmental damage by impacting water resources, land use patterns and biodiversity in many parts of Jamaica. However, efforts to rehabilitate mined-out lands into community centers, housing developments and more have mitigated much of the damage.
9. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest bauxite-producing country in the world and has a rich mining history. In 2021, Kazakhstan successfully produced 5.2 million tons of this material from their 20 registered bauxite mines.
Kazakhstan's bauxite comes primarily from the Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Group (KBRU) and the Turgay Group (TBRU). These companies are responsible for most operations in Kazakhstan and have boasted a proud mining heritage. The country's mining industry has rapidly expanded in recent years and many expect it to continue growing as it seeks to meet the steadily increasing global demand for raw materials.
10. Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is tenth on our list of the top 10 bauxite-producing countries in the world. The country produces about 4.3 million tons of bauxite annually and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Its untapped resources make it an attractive location for investment, and the Saudi government has made it a goal to diversify from its oil-based economy by tapping into its mineral wealth. The largest company operating in the country is Ma'aden, which is 50% government owned.
Additional Bauxite Producers
In addition to the top 10 bauxite-producing countries in the world, some other countries have each produced over 1 million tons of bauxite. These areas include:
- Vietnam: Vietnam has hovered just below the top bauxite producer rank for a while now, but they still have integral work to do before catching up with the front-runners. Boasting high-quality ore and enough bauxite reserves to reach the top three in the world, the only thing holding Vietnam back right now is the fact that mining operations are waiting for legal clearance to expand.
- Guyana: The country's Demerara and Berbice rivers produce the bulk of its bauxite output. However, mining operations have slowed down in the last few years due to economic and geographic instability. Fortunately, the government is now working on improving the infrastructure and creating more efficient energy solutions that will allow this country's operations to expand again.
- Sierra Leone: Although the Republic of Sierra Leone is not currently among the top 10 bauxite-producing countries, as it accounts for only a small percentage of global production, newly discovered deposits could put it on the list in the future.
- Greece: While Greece has produced bauxite for many years, the country's ore mining operations do not function as a significant part of its economy today. Greece's primary source of bauxite comes from underground mines in the northeast regions of the country.
- Ghana: Ghana is one of the greatest runners-up in bauxite production. The country's reserves are still unexploited and a new deal worth over 1 billion dollars will help to develop these operations.
- Soloman Islands: The Soloman Islands has remained a runner-up in the bauxite production industry for some time now. The government blocked mining operations in favor of local residents' wishes to protect their homeland and reduce potential environmental impact. This decision has helped keep their country more pristine, but it also means that they may miss out on the many benefits that come with being a world leader in this field.
- Turkey: Despite ranking as a small producer compared to other countries on this list, Turkey maintains high productivity levels due to their advanced technology and use of modern equipment.
Where Is Bauxite Found?
Bauxite, which is a source of aluminum ore, is mined from bauxite rocks and then processed into aluminum oxide. Considerable deposits of this rock are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, This valuable material usually rests along the surface of the earth or in sedimentary rock layers called "bauxitic clay."
The most common bauxite mining methods include strip mining or open pit methods. After this material is mined, 85% of the worldwide bauxite goes to aluminum production, with 15% going to other uses such as ceramics and cement manufacture.
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