EDITORIAL. 
BAUXITE DEPOSITS IN AUSTRALIA. 
In view of the fact that bauxite is the chief source for the manufac- 
ture of aluminium, considerable interest is attached to a report issued 
by Mr. A. Gibb Maitland, Geological Survey Department of Western 
Australia, on the bauxite deposits of that State. Owing to the very 
great extent of those residual deposits for which the term “laterite ” 
has been officially adopted, Western Australia possesses an asset of 
great value. ‘Some of these lateritie deposits have been utilized in the 
past as a source of iron ore for fluxing purposes. Some of the laterites 
have been proved to be ‘highly aluminous, approaching very closely in 
composition the bauxites of Europe, America, and India. So far, the 
most extensive aluminous deposit yet known, in Western Australia is 
that which caps the Darling Range, and is situated in close proximity’ 
to railway lines connecting with the metropolis, thence no serious diffi- 
culties arise in connexion with transport should the exploitation of the 
deposits be undertaken at any time. 
The analyses of the Darling Range laterites show that they can be 
grouped as follows :— 
Acid soluble, Al,O,, under 35 per cent. ae 
5 Bye Lao from 35-40 per cent. 9 .. 45 
ite ae + from 40-45 per cent. .. 6 
A oheres: 3 from 45-60 per cent. = .. 5 
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Mr. ‘Simpson states that the working of the laterite deposits would 
present no serious difficulty, and that it appears that what is known as 
the “Serpet Process ” renders the utilization of some of the aluminous 
laterite deposits quite possible. By this process, bauxite and coal are 
heated in an electric furnace with the production of aluminium nitride; 
this being treated with a solution of caustic soda forms sodium 
aluminate and ammonia. The alumina is extracted from the aluminate 
in the usual way, and the ammonia converted into the valuable manure; 
ammonium sulphate. Mr, Simpson states that the deposits might be 
developed by— : : it eas 
(a) exporting the raw material for use in alumina factories, 
(b) manufacturing pure alumina locally for export to 
aluminium works, or 
(c) manufacturing the metal in the State. 
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