Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Hall-Heroult process is the primary industrial process for smelting aluminum.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Alumina (Al\(_2\)O\(_3\)) has a very high melting point (over 2000°C). To make the electrolysis economically feasible, it is dissolved in molten cryolite (Na\(_3\)AlF\(_6\)), which lowers the melting point of the mixture to about 950°C. Cryolite also increases the conductivity of the melt.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Cryolite is used to lower the melting temperature of the mixture, which corresponds to option (C).