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Glossary of Terms
Below you will find detailed terms associated within
this industry. These are meant to give you a better understanding
as to the dangerous efffects produced from Aluminum mining in Jamaica.
Alumina
This is the oxide of Aluminium. A bluish silver-white malleable
ductile light trivalent metallic element that has good electrical
and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation
and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust where it always
occurs in combination.
Bauxite
Aluminum ore, called bauxite, is most commonly formed in deeply
weathered rocks. In some locations, deeply weather volcanic rocks,
usually basalt, form bauxite deposits. This is an impure mixture
of earthy hydrous aluminum oxides and hydroxides that is the principal
source of aluminum. Jamaica is the world's third largest producer
of bauxite and processed alumina.
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Bayer
Process
The Bayer Process is a procedure for obtaining alumina from the
aluminum ore bauxite. The alumina can then be used for various industrial
purposes or smelted to provide aluminum.
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Caustic
Soda
Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide – NaOH) is a very versatile
alkali and is used as a reactant in the manufacturing of various
sodium compounds. For example, it is used to produce sodium hypochlorite,
which is used to produce various bleaches and disinfectants. Caustic
soda is used in many industries where it is used to control pH,
to breakdown cellulose, in cleaning operations, etc. The substance
is a strong base, it reacts violently with acid and is corrosive
in moist air to metals like zinc, aluminium, tin and lead forming
a combustible/explosive gas. The substance is very corrosive to
the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion.
Inhalation of an aerosol of the substance may cause lung oedema.
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis.
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Sulphurous
Dioxide
The solution in water is a medium strong acid. Reacts violently
with ammonia, acrolein, acetylene, alkali metals, chlorine, ethylene
oxide, amines, butadiene. Reacts with water or steam causing corrosion
hazard. Attacks many metals including aluminium, iron, steel, brass,
copper and nickel in presence of water. Incompatible with halogens.
Attacks plastics, rubber and coatings in liquid form.
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.
The substance irritates strongly the eyes and the respiratory tract.
Inhalation of the gas may cause lung oedema. Rapid evaporation of
the liquid may cause frostbite. The substance may cause effects
on the respiratory tract , resulting in asthma-like reactions, reflex
spasm of the larynx and respiratory arrest. Exposure may result
in death. Repeated or prolonged inhalation exposure may cause asthma.
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