Bauxite and titanium, the fundamental raw materials to be discovered
In the map of critical raw materials the bauxite and titanium they are of fundamental importance for the development of industry and green energy. The world production of raw materials is grouped into 29 metals, among them there are three groupings that we often hear about, they are: “Heavy Rare Earth Elements, Light Rare Earth Elements and Platinum Group Metals”.
The Chineseobviously dominates the world‘s commodity production. Olaf Scholz in a recent interview went so far as to declare: “The North Sea can become the largest energy center in the world“. Immediately afterwards, in the last ten days of April, Scholz together with his “colleagues” from France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg and Denmark (where was Italy?), announced, making a crossing on the Connector ship, the construction of a colossal wind farm that will cross the entire North Sea and should allow three hundred million European families to consume clean energy (they will also give it to the Italians). A first part of the project, “the North Sea project”, should be completed by 2030.
What is bauxite
How much should it cost and who should actively participate in planning this strategic project? What does the European Parliament think? At present it is a mystery, so let’s go back to talking about two minerals, bauxite and titanium, which have one of the good stories to tell, with amusing anecdotes. What is Bauxite? It is not only a mineral, its properties promote the recovery of cognitive faculties, and it is also useful in the treatment of stress and sleep loss. It is a sedimentary rock which is the main source of aluminum. Furthermore, bauxite facilitates the assimilation of iron and favors the correct recovery of motor skills.
In 2020, Australia produced the largest amount of bauxite globally producing approximately 110 million tonnes. The second largest producer of bauxite is Guinea with 82 million tons. As already mentioned, the stone is used to produce aluminum. China is the largest producer of steel and aluminum in the world with a share of 60 and 57 percent of the global total, as well as the nation responsible for the largest amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
Why? Bauxite, considered as aluminum ore, is normally rich in impurities such as silica and iron and titanium oxides.
To counter the Chinese industry the The United States and the European Union are considering the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum produced in China as a proportion of their CO2 emissions (news dated December 12, 2022).
A curiosity about bauxite in Italy
In the heart of Salento, south of Otranto is the Bauxite lake, where the water is emerald green. It was a former mineral deposit now abandoned, the discovery dates back to 1940, the exploitation of bauxite ceased in 1976 due to water infiltration of one of the many aquifers present in the area. The land surrounding the lake, thanks to its intense red colour, is often taken and still used today for the production of colors used in the local handicraft sector, in total respect for nature.
Before discovering the specific peculiarities of titanium, we would like to reiterate, as told in previous articles, that China holds total supremacy on the extraction and processing of rare earths with a share equal to about 90% of global production, and a third of world reserves, followed by Vietnam, Brazil, Russia, India, Australia, Greenland and the United States.
Andrea Biancardijunior lecturer in energy transition presso la Sda Bocconi states that: “In global competition, China has managed to acquire a privileged position on the African continent, becoming its main partner in trade relations. Compared to other powers, from Europe to the United States, China has the advantage of presenting itself with infrastructure projects, from roads to hospitals. And China’s advantage was also that it saw Africa not only as a supplier of raw materials and natural resources, but also as an outlet market for its goods”. Fantastic!
The race for rare earths
One piece of news that is worrying the global commodity trading sector is China’s willingness to ban the export of rare earth magnets, a release from early April that has not yet received confirmation from Beijing. The 17 rare earths are essential for the energy transition, smartphones, wind turbines, cars, but it all depends on China, and what can Europe do to reduce its dependence on China? It will be sufficient to carry out the two projects drawn up by Europe called Critical Raw Materials Act e Net zero industry act? Hope is always the last to die.
And now let’s deal with titanium
Also in this case, we tell a story that is incredible.
The largest titanium deposit in the world is located in Italy and more precisely in Liguria. In the so-called Piampaludo deposit, in the Beigua park, in the province of Savona and in particular in the Voltri massif. A deposit containing 9 million tons of titanium, so why have mining activities not started? Difficult to answer this question. As we said the titanium is inside the Beigua Regional Natural Park and is under the protection of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. In the Beigua park, 40,000 pairs of birds and wolves nest and there are about 1,200 species of plants, and it is for these reasons that it is considered the park with the richest biodiversity in Liguria. Furthermore, the opening of a mine would give rise to huge environmental problems.
In medicine, titanium is used to make knee and hip replacements, pacemakers, bone plates and screws, and cranium plates for skull fractures, as well as to fix false teeth.
Titanium is very strong, even at high temperatures, its extremely light weight, these characteristics allow industries to use titanium alloys for aircraft, pipes for power plants, armor plating, ships, spacecraft and missiles.
Further curiosities
The typical lipstick contains 10% titanium. Due to its light diffusing properties, titanium dioxide in small quantities is often used to improve the white color or opacity in foods such as chewing gum, candies, pastries, chocolates, coffee creamers and cake decorations. For sportsmen who use bicycles. Those who want to buy a bicycle for life, therefore eternal, titanium and steel make up the lion’s share, so to speak.
Metals open up horizons still unknown to most people, our aim is to provide, in our small way, information that allows us to approach these minerals without fearing them for what they are.