Arrange the following stages involved in the extraction and processing of bauxite into aluminum metal in Africa in the correct sequential order, from initial extraction to final metal production.
- 1Open-cast surface mining to extract raw bauxite ore from the ground.
- 2Crushing and washing of raw bauxite to remove soil and clay impurities.
- 3Chemical refining of bauxite using the Bayer process to yield alumina (aluminum oxide).
- 4Electrolytic smelting of alumina to produce refined aluminum metal.
Answer
The correct sequence is: Open-cast surface mining to extract raw bauxite ore from the ground → Crushing and washing of raw bauxite to remove soil and clay impurities → Chemical refining of bauxite using the Bayer process to yield alumina (aluminum oxide) → Electrolytic smelting of alumina to produce refined aluminum metal.
The correct sequence follows the standard aluminum industrial processing chain: open-cast mining extracts raw bauxite, crushing and washing removes physical waste, chemical refining converts bauxite to alumina powder, and electrolytic smelting yields finished aluminum metal.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Stages of Bauxite Extraction and Processing in African Mining
Estimated Time:45s