The world bauxite/Alumina/Aluminium industry is a vertical...

The world bauxite/Alumina/Aluminium industry is a vertical intregrated business.

There is very little competion in the bauxite market because all the major bauxite producers are also the major consumers i.e. they produce bauxite for their own alumina production. The competition is in the alumina market.

Because of this there is no real bauxite 'market'.

Another factor why there is no bauxite market is because all bauxites are not the same. The alumina refineries are constructed to use certain types of bauxite and are hence locked in to that one type.They can use other types, however it is not cost effieient.

Read in to this what you like regarding the markets for BAU bauxite.