Recovering metals from red mud generated during alumina production

There is growing interest in processing and utilizing the red mud by-product of the Bayer process for alumina extraction from bauxite. This interest stems largely from the environmental impacts associated with red mud and the storage costs involved. Furthermore, complete utilization of the raw materials, in this case bauxite, meets an ecological concept while ensuring raw material conservation. To prepare this article, the authors perused approximately 100 patents and articles in order to provide a concise description of the methods of storing red mud and its uses as a flocculant or construction material and in other minor applications. Special attention has been given to the methods developed for recovering metals contained in the red mud.