1. Alumina is dissolved in a **molten cryolite ^[A white or colorless mineral consisting of a fluoride of sodium and aluminum. It is added to bauxite as a flux in aluminum smelting.]bath** within a carbon-lined steel pot. 2. **Carbon anodes** are inserted in the top of the bath and an electric current passes through the anodes and the bath. 3. Oxygen atoms separate from the alumina and combine with the carbon anode, leaving the remaining molten aluminum at the bottom of the pot. 4. The molten aluminum is periodically siphoned out and placed in a holding furnace. 5. From the holding furnace, the molten aluminum is cast into an ingot.  ![[Pasted image 20210717213727.png]] [[Sustainabilty of Industrial Production]]