Short answers, pulled from the story.
The stable isotope 27Al comprises virtually all naturally occurring aluminium. This single isotope makes the element mononuclidic for standard atomic weight purposes.
Danish physicist Hans Christian Ørsted announced the discovery of aluminium in 1825. He reacted anhydrous aluminium chloride with potassium amalgam to produce a lump resembling tin.
Producing one kilogram requires seven kilograms of oil energy equivalent compared to 1.5 for steel. Electric power represents twenty to forty percent of total production costs depending on smelter location.
Aluminium forms compounds primarily in the +3 oxidation state due to its electron configuration. The Al3+ cation is small and highly charged with strong polarizing power leading to covalent character in bonds.
China leads global output with over 55% share according to 2024 data. India Russia Canada and United Arab Emirates follow as major producers.