1
Compiled by Dr. Joe Herbertson
June 2001
Sustainable Resource
Processing
Aluminium
Annual World
Australia
Production Mt %
Bauxite
113 38
Alumina 50 28
Virgin Al 25 7
MAJOR INPUTS
Alumina Refining
Stage cost ~US$400
Bauxite 4.5t
Water 3t
Caustic soda 0.15t
Limestone 0.2t
Coal 0.4t
Natural Gas 0.25t
Electricity 2 GJ
Aluminium
Smelting
stage cost ~ US$1000
Carbon 0.5t
Coal 0.15t
Natural Gas 0.1t
Electricity 55 GJ
WASTES & EMISSIONS
Alumina Refining
Red Mud Solids 2.5t
Water in Red Mud 1.8t
Caustic in Red Mud 0.1t
Gypsum 0.2t
Process CO2 1.9t
Aluminium Smelting
Process CO2 2.4t
CF4 0.3kg
C2F6
0.03kg
1 t virgin aluminium
(annual production 25 Mt)
A simplified summary of some of the
major inputs and outputs to produce virgin aluminium
•Australia is a major
global player in the aluminium industry at all stages
•Major waste stream is
red mud, with over 100Mt wet red mud discharged worldwide annually
•When coal based power
generation (~40% of usage) and PFCs are included, the net Global Warming
Potential
of emissions are equivalent to ~11.5 t CO2/t virgin Al
Aluminium smelting consumes ~ 14% of
Australian electricity production and the industry represents ~ 9% of Australia’s Greenhouse gas emissions [inclusive of
electricity component]