About the terms and the material:
the raw material (ore in the ground) is called bauxite. It generally
contains between 40 and 60% aluminum oxide. When it is refined to a white
powder it becomes almost pure aluminum oxide and is then called alumina
(thus nobody mines or quarries alumina). And when alumina is dissolved in
molten cryolite and then broken down by passing an electric current through
the molten mixture, it separates into aluminum and oxygen. About four pounds
of bauxite thus give about 2 pounds of alumina and these then give about 1
lb. of aluminum or aluminium, as they call it somewhere). Regards. Helmut
Waszkis.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2000 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: What is mining?
>
> In a message dated 7/9/00 7:16:45 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> << Just being picky, but as far as I'm aware no-one has ever mined (or
>
> quarried) alumina or cement!! >>
>
> about alumina 2.6 Million tons or about 35% of the US demand was imported.
>
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