Bayer process Wikipedia
Al 2 O 3 + 2 NaOH → 2 NaAlO 2 + H 2 O This treatment also dissolves silica, forming sodium silicate : 2 NaOH + SiO 2 → Na 2 SiO 3 + H 2 O The other components of Bauxite, however, do not dissolve. Sometimes [when?] lime is added at this stage to precipitate the silica as calcium silicate.