Question

Write the main steps in the extraction of aluminium.

Answer 1

1. Bauxite Mining: Bauxite ore, which includes aluminum oxide (alumina), is used to extract aluminum.
2. Purification of Bauxite (Bayer Process): By dissolving bauxite in a sodium hydroxide solution, which removes impurities, pure alumina (Al₂O₃) is obtained.
3. Electrolytic Reduction (Hall-Héroult Process): It involves dissolving alumina in molten cryolite (Na₃AlF₆) to lower its melting point before electrolyzing it to produce aluminum metal.