Correct option is C
Correct Answer: (C) Australia
Explanation:
● By the year 2012, Australia was the largest producer of bauxite in the world.
● Australia is endowed with vast reserves of bauxite, particularly in regions like Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.
● The country accounted for a significant portion of global bauxite production, driven by high-quality deposits and advanced mining technologies.
● Bauxite is primarily used for producing alumina and subsequently aluminum, an essential material in industries like construction, transportation, and packaging.
Information Booster:
● Top Bauxite Producers in 2012:
- Australia: Approximately 70–75 million metric tons.
- China: Heavily reliant on imports but had growing production.
- Brazil and India: Major producers contributing significantly to global output.
● The global demand for bauxite continues to rise due to the increasing usage of aluminum in various industries.
Additional Knowledge:
- (A) Brazil: A leading bauxite producer, known for its rich deposits in the Amazon region, but ranked below Australia.
- (B) India: Holds substantial bauxite reserves, primarily in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, but was not the top producer in 2012.
- (D) Indonesia: Significant exporter of bauxite but not the largest producer.