Bauxite is the primary ore of aluminum and the world’s main source of this essential metal. It forms through the weathering of aluminum-rich rocks in tropical regions and is typically reddish-brown due to its iron content. Extracted through open-pit mining, bauxite is refined into alumina and then smelted to produce aluminum, which is used in everything from aircraft to beverage cans. While crucial for modern industry, bauxite mining poses environmental challenges, driving efforts toward more sustainable practices.