Bauxite supply in the red

摘要

THERE IS CONCERN amongst many consumers of non-metallurgical grades of bauxite that prices are rising, supply is tight, and compromises may need to be made on quality. With aluminium production growing fast at rates of over 6 percent in 2005 and 2006, and an even more impressive 12 percent in 2007, there is strong competition for any type of bauxite to feed alumina plants. World bauxite production was estimated by the US Geological Survey (USGS) to be of the order of 1 90m. tonnes in 2007 - an almost 7 percent increase over the previous year. Other sources place production levels even higher, at over 228m. tonnes in 2007, an increase of almost 5.5 over the previous year. Alumina production was estimated to be 78.4m. tonnes, an increase of close to 9 percent over the previous year.