Bauxite is a reddish rock.
But also a plane on the horizon, the bicycle that crosses the park and countless products that make our life easier.
Made up largely of aluminum oxides, bauxite is the result of millions of years of decomposition of alkaline rocks through seepage of rainwater. Its name is a tribute to the village Les Baux-de-Provence, in France, where it was discovered in 1821.
Bauxite is highly valued by the market and about 90% of the production is used in aluminum making. Brazil has the 4th largest bauxite reserve in the world and the quality of our raw material is considered excellent.
Always in transformation
The beneficiation of bauxite gets the aluminum production started. It is the third most abundant element on Earth, which is molded to the many uses in the industry to make our modern world viable.
Our production feeds refineries in Brazil and in countries in North America, Europe and Asia. After it is turned into aluminum, bauxite takes on a position in several sectors that are essential to our lives, such as energy, transportation, packaging, computers and construction. It also becomes part of a sustainable production cycle, thanks to the incredible recycling capacity of this light-weight, but resistant, metal.
With benefits to many people
Since 1979, the bauxite produced in Porto Trombetas has been generating development in the region. It is turned into employment, income and royalties for three municipalities. Roads, schools, hospitals are built and improved; it also helps to preserve the biodiversity of the Amazon.
Everything we have achieved over the past four decades stems from the talent of thousands of professionals, mostly from the western region of Pará State, where our operations are located. We have always believed that it is possible to grow in balance with our surroundings. For that reason, we have invested in dozens of projects and socio-environmental partnerships, which help preserve nature and benefit local communities in various ways.