Question

The availability of which two factors, determines the localisation of the aluminium industry?

Answer 1

The availability of two main factors determines the localisation of the aluminium industry:

1. Bauxite: Aluminium production requires a large quantity of bauxite ore. About 6 tonnes of bauxite are needed to produce one tonne of aluminium. Thus, the industry tends to be located near major sources of bauxite to reduce transportation costs and ensure raw material availability.
2. Electricity: Aluminium smelting is extremely energy-intensive, requiring approximately 18,573 kWh of electricity per tonne of aluminium produced. Electricity accounts for 30-40% of the production cost, making the availability of cheap and reliable electricity critical for the industry.