Geotechnical evaluation of eastern Ghats bauxite deposits of India

India is endowed with more than 3000 million tons of bauxite resources. Out of total India reserves, about 70% reserves are concentrated in Eastern Ghats (Odisha and Andhra Pradesh) region. Majority of the Eastern Ghat bauxite deposits are located at high altitude (high level type) and have been developed on khondalite and charnockite group of rocks with different geomorphological conditions. These are formed at an elevation of about 900- 1400 meter above mean sea level (msl). The physico-mechanical and technological properties of these bauxite vary widely depending upon the parent rock composition, mode of origin, geomorphological position, duration and age of bauxite formation. In the Bayer process the most important parameter that decides the economic importance is the quality of bauxite which again decides the digestion parameters for alumina extraction. Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARRDC) is in process of evaluating the bauxite and laterite deposits of India for its suitability for commercial applications. The present paper highlights the geological and geomorphological features of Eastern Ghats bauxite deposits and their technological characteristics. These studies are required to evaluate the bauxite in terms of their suitability for metallurgical and non metallurgical applications.