What is Aluminium?

Aluminium is a metal that is made from bauxite, a red rock found everywhere. The Bayer process (a type of special electrolysis) is used to extract the metal from its ore. Guinea (West Africa) and Australia have the two largest reserves of this mineral, but it is the most abundant metal on Earth.

This soft metal is a very good conductor of heat and electricity. It is light but also strong. It can be hammered into sheets or pulled out into wires. It is a highly reactive metal, however it is resistant to corrosion.

Many things are made of aluminium including overhead power lines,  window frames and aircraft bodies. You might also find it in your home as saucepans, soft drink cans, and cooking foil.

Aluminium bar

Discover

Facts about Aluminium

Mining bauxite is very destructive as it involves open cast mining, where large areas are carved up by heavy machinery.

Activities

View More Activities

Global Issues

Discover More…

Resource Limits

Demand for aluminium is currently high, but it is a very common element on Earth. Reserves of bauxite (what is left underground) are currently estimated to be between 40 and 75 billion metric tons, and so could last for centuries.

Find below a map of the world where the main countries producing bauxite each year are found.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1

Australia is the biggest bauxite producer in the world today. It produces about 81,000 metric tons of bauxite each year.

2

Second is China with about 47,000 metric tons of bauxite production annually. With its reserves depleted China now imports bauxite from India, Australia and Malaysia.

3

Third is Brazil with 32,500 metric tons of bauxite production every year.

4

The fourth biggest producer of bauxite is Guinea with 19,300 metric tons of bauxite production annually. Guinea has the biggest bauxite deposits in the world, but has no refineries and all the mines are owned by foreign companies.

5

Number five is India with 19,000 metric tons per year.

6

Jamaica produces 9,800 metric tons per year.

7

Kazakhstan produces 5,500 metric tons per year.

8

Russia produces 5,300 metric tons.

9

Suriname produces 3,270 metric tons.

10

Venezuela produces 2,200 metric tons.

Zone © 2026 Recycle Devon