Greetings from oikos !

Bauxite is a sedimentary, residual non-transported deposit.

It is the source for Aluminium ore industries of the entire world.

In 1821 the French geologist Pierre Berthier discovered bauxite near the village of Les Baux in France, and hence the name Bauxite.

It's origin is similar to the process of lateritization. Parent rock weathers chemically and forms secondary clay minerals. Some clays are aluminium oxides.  During the process of weathering, soluble minerals in the original parent rock are leached outand the remaining weathered rock is enriched with Aluminium and bauxite is formed. Other minerals like Iron, Nickel, Titanium etc. are also found in its composition.

Its structure is porous, concretionary and pisolitic i.e. rounded mass of mineral matter about the size of a pea.

It is formed in Tropical and sub-tropical climate. In India, it is mostly found in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh Zharkhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Mining for bauxite is a major threat to natural systems. The forest covers above the bauxite deposits have to be removed completely for mining. This degrades the landscape and makes it a huge challenge for undertaking restoration programs. Bauxite mines are responsible for destroying important habitats like rocky outcrops. Many Bauxite deposits are located within core area of forested landscapes.

Uses : Most important Aluminum ore.

Regards,

Ketaki & Manasi

 

* Thanks to Geologist Dr Ajit Vartak and Dr Swati Gole for all help in providing information.