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'''Extraction Process''' The principle ore of aluminum is bauxite, a reddish clay-like ore rich in alumina is usually mined by open cut technique. Aluminium is then extracted by electrolysis at a reduction plant, or smelter. The ore is first converted into pure alumina by the Bayer Process which involves heating in caustic soda. The aluminum trihydrate dissolves leaving a residue of insoluble iron and titanium oxides called red mud. The aluminum trihydrate is dried to produce alumina which is electrolysed in molten cryolite because the aluminum oxide has too high a melting point to electrolyse on its own. Then a powerful electric current is run through the liquid to separate the aluminum from the oxygen. As a result, the molten aluminum sinks to the bottom of the pots.

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13y ago

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