OBJECTIVES

Alumina refineries use different variations of the Bayer process, with the variation utilised at a particular refinery to a large extent being tailored to the specific bauxite ore being processed. Differences can range from the temperature of extraction to clarification technologies and organic removal processes. In-depth mineral characterisation of bauxites can point to the most effective processing options and can also be used to examine bauxite beneficiation techniques for improving the ore quality prior to processing.

The world in general, and Australia in particular, is running out of high quality (low silica) bauxite ores. To maintain its competitive edge, the Australian alumina industry needs the development of ways to economically process high silica bauxites.

This project aims to address these challenges for industry by:

• developing a better understanding of mineral compositions, associations and liberations, and likely processing behaviours (especially in desilication and extraction), of new and existing bauxites
  
• developing options for the beneficiation of Australian bauxites
  
• determining and assessing options for the economic processing of high silica bauxites by Bayer and non-Bayer technologies, including acid routes.

INDUSTRY BENEFITS

• innovative processing technologies for extracting alumina from bauxite ores containing high levels of silica, which would potentially convert vast untapped bauxite deposits into valuable assets
  
• improved digestion and desilication procedures, including procedures better tailored to the properties of the bauxite ore being processed.

RESEARCH TEAM
Dr Peter Smith (Project Leader)
Mr Michael Davies
Ms Lynette De Silva
Dr Erich Koenigsberger
Prof Peter May (leds the New Bauite Processes component)
Dr Bingan Xu
Ms Jessie Walsh (Honours student)

RESEARCH COLLABORATION
CSIRO Minerals
Murdoch University
CSIRO Minerals’ CFD Group
CSIRO Minerals’ High-Temperature Processing Group
GTT-Technologies (Germany)

PROJECT DURATION
2005-2008