World bauxite production increased 10 percent to 62 million long tons in 1971, double the output of 8 years earlier. The large number and size of new bauxite and alumina production facilities under construction or planned throughout the world indicated continued strong growth of these industries in the 1970's. In the last 3 years, Australia, which has more than doubled its production of bauxite and alumina, has been the area of greatest growth.

Bauxite production in the United States remained near the 2-million-ton level in 1971. Bauxite consumption and calcined

alumina production and imports decreased slightly because of a decline in requirements for producing primary aluminum.

Legislation and Government Programs. -Public Law 92-151 removed the duties on all U.S. imports of bauxite and alu

mina.

Excess bauxite and fused aluminum oxide in the Government stockpile were available for commercial sale or exchange for other commodities needed to meet stockpile objectives. During 1971, 2,446,000 tons of Surinam-type bauxite were sold for $26.2 million.

Bauxite production in the United States declined 4.5 percent to just under 2 million long tons (dry equivalent) in 1971. About 90 percent of the bauxite was produced in Arkansas and most of the remainder, in Alabama.

In Arkansas, Aluminum Co. of America (Alcoa), Reynolds Mining Corp., American Cyanamid Co., and A. P. Green Refractories Co. mined in Saline County, and Reynolds and American Cyanamid produced in Pulaski County. Bauxite processing plants were operated in Arkansas by American Cyanamid, A. P. Green, Norton Co., Porocel Corp., and Stauffer Chemical Co.

Bauxite production in Alabama, largely for use in refractories, was increased in 1971 and came entirely from Barbour and Henry Counties. The producers included Eufaula Bauxite Mining Co., A. P. Green Refractories Co., Harbison-Walker Refractories Co., and Wilson-Snead Mining Co. Drying or calcining facilities were operated by all four companies.

American Cyanamid Co., the only bauxite producer in Georgia, operated two mines in Sumter County.

1 Industry economist, Division of Nonferrous Metals.

The eight alumina plants in the continental United States and the plant in the Virgin Islands produced a total of 7.21 million short tons of alumina, an increase of 1 percent from 1970. Alcoa completed expansion of its plant at Point Comfort, Tex., and Harvey Aluminum, Inc., continued to modify and expand its facilities on St. Croix, V.I. The total production included 6.55 million tons of calcined alumina, 599,000 tons of commercial alumina trihydrate, and 69,000 tons of tabular, activated, and other alumina. The production of alumina trihydrate increased 44 percent.

Calcined alumina production declined, however, because of reduced requirements for primary aluminum production.

Shipments of alumina and aluminum oxide products totaled 7.18 million tons, compared with 7.11 million tons (revised) in 1970. The total value of shipments was $501 million. Approximately 6.35 million tons was shipped to the aluminum industry. The chemical industry was the second largest recipient, and most of the rest of the alumina was shipped to producers of abrasives, ceramics, and refractories.

Production: 1970 r 1971

Shipments: 1970 1971.

• Revised.

Bauxite consumption in the United States remained virtually unchanged at 15.6 million long tons (dry basis) per year during the period 1969 through 1971. Nearly 88 percent of the bauxite consumed in 1971 was imported ore.

Approximately 94 percent of the total bauxite consumption was used to make alumina and related products. An average of 2.1 long dry tons of bauxite was used to produce 1 short ton (calcined basis) of alumina. The two alumina plants in Arkansas consumed mainly domestic bauxite; the other alumina plants used only imported

ore.

The manufacture of high-alumina refractories was the second largest use of bauxite. Most of this material was calcined bauxite and 81 percent was imported, largely from Guyana.

The use of bauxite to make abrasives decreased in 1971, reflecting lower demand by the manufacturing industries that use these products. All of the bauxite used in the manufacture of abrasives was imported calcined bauxite. Data on the abrasives industry included bauxite fused and crushed in Canada since much of this material is made into abrasive wheels and coated products in the United States. The production and uses of aluminous abrasives was described.2

The chemical industry increased its consumption of bauxite by 4 percent to 319,000 tons. Other consumers of bauxite, in descending order of magnitude, included the cement, oil and gas, and steel industries, and municipal waterworks.

2 Industrial Minerals. Abrasives: Uses Widening But Improved Quality Moderating Demand. No. 46, July 1971, pp. 9-24.