Australian bauxite industry to remain strong in near future

Lauded for its favourable strength-to-weight ratio, aluminium is one of the world's most essential metals.

Bauxite, the ore from which aluminium is manufactured, is abundant in Australia. Although there are only five bauxite mines in the country, the nation is one of the world's leading producers of the material, according to the Australian Aluminium Council.

Like any extractives operation, bauxite mines depend on various measurement solutions to keep track of production. Maintaining these systems requires expertise from professionals knowledgeable of industrial operations.

Buaxite production sector looks steady 

According to IBISWorld, Australia's bauxite industry generates $2 billion annually. Between 2010 and 2015, the industry grew at a compound annual growth rate of 11.7 per cent. This is partly due to expansion projects at existing bauxite mines. 

This investment is expected to increase over the next four or five years. IBISWorld noted that bauxite production volumes will rise at a robust rate until 2020, supported by consistent, positive pricing trends. 

From a global perspective, Research and Markets calculated there were 28.1 billion tonnes of bauxite, according to January 2015 figures. Although Guinea has the largest reserves, Australia's bauxite is of particularly high grade. Not to mention, Australia has the transportation infrastructure needed to ship materials to aluminium processing facilities and marine ports.

Preparing for further expansion 

Bauxite mines and aluminium manufacturing plants must operate under stringent standards and protocols. Implementing those processes successfully often necessitates measurement instruments.

When companies add new equipment, facility managers would do well to conduct plant-wide audits to determine whether new assets integrate well with existing machinery. Any new weigh feeders, tramp metal detection solutions and other measurement systems will ultimately impact product quality.

Depending on whether or not the aforementioned devices are calibrated correctly, a bauxite mine may deliver sub-standard materials that are unsuitable for smelting facilities. Speak with SRO Technology to determine whether your solutions are performing appropriately.