Characterization of Indian red muds and recovery of their metal values

Abstract

The huge reserve of bauxite, large scale industries and good export potential have made the aluminum industry a promising enterprise in India. At the same time growing concern for environment and raw material conservation has intensified the research and development work on the safe disposal and bulk utilization of red mud, an alkali enriched solid waste generated in alumina manufacturing plants. However, in India, the problem has received scant attention especially from aluminum industries. The present paper outlines the physico-chemical characteristics and mineralogical phases of some Indian red muds. Attempts have been made to study the dissolution behavior of red muds, which of course, depends upon the chemical composition, for the recovery of metal values in mineral acids of different concentrations.