Bauxite is the most common ore from which aluminum is extracted primarily for the following reasons:
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Most Abundant: Bauxite is the world's primary source of aluminum and is found in large quantities in many parts of the world. This abundance makes it a reliable and economically viable material for aluminum production.
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Located Near the Surface and Can Be Easily Strip Mined: Bauxite deposits are typically located near the surface of the Earth, which makes them accessible for mining. Strip mining is a cost-effective and efficient method to extract bauxite, leading to lower extraction costs.
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Refined in a Single Step: The Bayer process, which is used to refine bauxite into alumina (aluminum oxide), is relatively straightforward and efficient. This allows for the cost-effective transformation of bauxite into a form that can be further processed to produce aluminum metal.
The other options mentioned (used in jewelry as a gem and contains pure aluminum metal) are not correct in reference to bauxite. While bauxite contains aluminum, it does not contain pure aluminum metal in its natural state, and it is not used as a gem in jewelry.
Therefore, the primary reasons for bauxite being the most common ore for aluminum extraction are its abundance, surface location allowing for easy mining, and its suitability for efficient refining processes.
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