Here's why:

* The reaction: When heated to a high temperature (around 2000°C), aluminium oxide reacts with carbon in a reduction reaction:

* Al₂O₃ + 3C → 2Al + 3CO

* The process: This reaction is used in the Hall-Héroult process to extract aluminium from its ore (bauxite). The reaction produces aluminium metal and carbon monoxide gas.

Therefore, aluminium oxide does react with hot carbon, and this reaction is crucial for the industrial production of aluminium.