Magnesia—An important Industrial Mineral: A Review of Processing Options and Uses

Magnesia is widely used as an important component in basic refractories, as an animal feed supplement, fertilizer, insulation material, cement, and in several environmental control procedures. The major sources of magnesia are magnesite, seawater and brines. Less important sources are dolomite, bitterns and salt deposits. This review outlines the more significant physical and chemical processes for the production of the various grades of magnesia and discusses some of the more important uses of magnesia. Consumption of magnesia in basic refractories is slowly declining and future market growth will be largely restricted to chemically reactive magnesia (caustic calcined magnesia).