Editing Bayer process (section)

{{Short description|Industrial means of refining bauxite to produce alumina}}
The '''Bayer process''' is the principal industrial means of refining [[bauxite]] to produce  [[alumina]] (aluminium oxide) and was developed by [[Carl Josef Bayer]]. Bauxite, the most important ore of [[aluminium]], contains only 30–60% [[aluminium oxide]] (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>), the rest being a mixture of [[silica]], various [[iron oxide]]s, and [[titanium dioxide]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Harris, Chris |author2=McLachlan, R. (Rosalie) |author3=Clark, Colin |title=Micro reform – impacts on firms: aluminium case study |publisher=Industry Commission |location=Melbourne |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-646-33550-6 }}</ref> The aluminium oxide must be further purified before it can be refined into aluminium.

The Bayer process is also the main source of [[gallium]] as a byproduct despite low extraction yields.