Mineralogical and geochemical investigations on the iron-rich gibbsitic bauxite in Yongjiang basin, SW China

Iron-rich gibbsitic bauxite, located in the Yongjiang basin, southwestern part of South China Block, characterized by nodules mixed with loose clayey soil. Bauxite ores consist of gibbsite, kaolinite, hematite and goethite and few zircon and quartz. The nodules have higher ratios of Al/Si and stronger ferrallitization compared to the enclosing soil. The nodules have a lower content of Rb and Cs that were easily depleted during the weathering...