What is laterite used for?

Laterite has several important uses, primarily due to its unique physical properties.

• Building Material: This is its most traditional and widespread use. When moist, laterite can be easily cut into large blocks. Upon exposure to air, these blocks harden significantly, making them a durable, cost-effective building material. They are widely used to construct houses and walls, often referred to as "laterite bricks."
• Road Construction: Crushed laterite is commonly used as a base material for constructing roads and pavements due to its hardness and good compaction properties.
• Source of Ores: Laterite is a product of intense weathering, which concentrates minerals like iron and aluminum. It is often rich in iron and aluminum oxides. In fact, bauxite, the primary ore of aluminum, is a type of laterite soil.