Bauxite

Peterson, Joyce
Publisher:  GATT-Fly, Canada
Year Published:  1977  
Pages:  4pp  
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX301

A four page paper describing the bauxtie industry in Canada and around the world.

Abstract:  Bauxite provides an excellent example in the study of underdevelopment vs development and transnationals vs nationalization. This four-page paper is that study. Bauxite is a primary resource material, and, since 90% of what is mined is used for the production of aluminum, it is impossible to isolate bauxite from the whole aluminium industry. Eighty percent of the capitalist world's bauxite is derived from Third World countries. Canada has the world's largest smelter at Arvida, Quebec and the second largest at Kitimat, B.C. Most of the bauxite available is mined in a few countries but not processed there. All phases of the mining operation through to the manufacturing of aluminium are done by a few large companies such as Alcan. Their control extends to pricing, marketing, transportation, and refining.
In 1974 the International Bauxite Association was formed with the founding member accounting for 80% of the world's bauxite production. The aim of the IBA is to promote the development of the bauxite industry, to secure for member nations a fair and reasonable return, and to safeguard the interests of member countries in relation to the bauxite industry.

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