Bauxite is a naturally occurring, heterogeneous material primarily composed of one or more aluminum hydroxide minerals and various mixtures of aluminum silicate (clay, etc.), iron oxide, silica, titania, and other impurities in minor or trace amounts. It is principally used for the production of alumina (Al2O3), the oxide of aluminum, which is consumed chiefly in the production of primary aluminum metal. The other major uses of bauxite are in refractories, abrasives, chemicals, proppants, and aluminous cements.
