Mineralogical, geochemical, and spectral characteristics of low‑high grade bauxite deposits of the southern bauxite zone at Al Ba’itha mine, Az Zabirah, Saudi Arabia
Az Zabirah
Bauxite, the primary economic raw material for aluminum production, is extensively used due to its affordability. The Al
Ba’itha mine in Az Zabirah, Saudi Arabia, contains bauxite deposits with varying textures, including pisolitic, oolitic, and
oolitic-conglomeratic forms. Predominant minerals within these deposits include gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore. These
deposits have elevated concentrations of Al2O3
and Fe2O3,
with average values standing at 53.59 wt% and 12.12 wt%,
respectively. Minor constituents such as goethite, hematite, and boehmite contribute to these compositions. The presence
of SiO2
(average: 7.59 wt%) and TiO2
(average: 2.94 wt%) suggests the existence of rutile, anatase, and kaolinite. To assess
the grade and mineralogical composition of bauxite, spectra were obtained using the GER 3700 spectroradiometer across
low, medium, and high-grade samples. Notable features in the spectra include strong Al–OH vibrations at wavelengths
approximately 1.5, 2.2, and 2.3 μm, indicative of bauxite’s presence. The presence of hematite, goethite, and gibbsite is
discerned through absorption features at 0.48 and 0.88 μm. Furthermore, absorption properties near 2.3 μm suggest the
existence of calcite, attributed to the CO3
molecule. Analysis of the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of bauxite
reveals absorption bands associated with kaolinite, hematite, quartz, and gibbsite. Integration of X-ray diffraction (XRD),
FTIR, and reflectance spectroscopy was useful in determining bauxite grade and mineralogical composition. These methods
serve as efficient tools in the exploration and characterization of bauxite deposits, facilitating informed decision-making in
aluminum production processes.
Bauxite, the primary economic raw material for aluminum production, is extensively used due to its affordability. The Al
Ba’itha mine in Az Zabirah, Saudi Arabia, contains bauxite deposits…
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