explainer · aluminium
Mined at 25%. Refined at 53%. Smelted to 99.7%.
Bauxite is mined at about a quarter aluminium, refined to alumina, then smelted with large amounts of electricity. The power source, more than the mine, sets the carbon footprint buyers now ask about.
6 stages
Six stages, from bauxite to finished product
Select a stage to see what happens there, who does it, and which record moves with the material. The bars show aluminium content by mass on a log scale.
Aluminium content is shown as elemental aluminium (Al) by mass. Bauxite grades are usually quoted as Al₂O₃: 50% Al₂O₃ is about 26% Al.
scale
Where aluminium comes from
of primary aluminium was smelted in 2025. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, 2025 estimate
of primary aluminium was smelted in China, about 45 Mt. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, our calculation, 2025 estimate
of bauxite was mined in 2025. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, 2025 estimate
of bauxite came from Guinea, about 150 Mt. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, our calculation, 2025 estimate
traceability
Where the record usually breaks
- At the alumina refineryBauxite from several mines and countries is blended to suit the refinery. Origin is usually reported as a share, not per lot.
- At the casthousePrimary metal from several smelters is remelted with scrap. Low-carbon claims depend on keeping the smelter and power source attached.
- At the end customerBuyers and the EU CBAM ask for emissions per tonne. Without lot links back to the smelter, suppliers fall back on default values.
Our traceability rollouts link these records, from mine lot to finished product, so a claim about origin holds up when a customer or regulator asks for it.
Planning a traceability rollout, or one that has stalled after the pilot? Book a 30-minute call.
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The whole chain on one image
A 1080 × 1350 image of the 6 stages, sized for LinkedIn. Free to share with a link back to this page.
Sources
Production figures are USGS estimates for 2025. Stage ranges are typical industry values, rounded, not data for a specific plant.