Magnesite’s formula is MgCO3, it is a mineral which consists of % 52.3 CO2 , % 47.7 MgO and very little Fe2O3 ; hardness of which changes between 3.4 – 4.5 in Mohs scale ; specific gravity of which is 2.9-3.1 gr/cm³ . Its colour changes between white, yellow or grey and brown. It is found in two types as Kryptocrystalline (gel/ amorphous) and crystalline (holocrystalline) in the nature. It is a hard and complex mineral and it occurs as a result of alteration of antigorite or similar rocks or as a result of contact metamorphism of dolomites. There are also sedimentation magnesite deposits.
It is too hard to encounter with magnesite in appropriate features for requirements of usage areas. Because existence of any foreign substance more or less than %0.1 determines whether magnesite can be evaluated economically with current technology. However, our country is very lucky in aspect of keeping top-quality magnesite of the world. Low porosity, high refractoriness, high resistance, scale stability, chemical resistance are looked for in magnesite.
Usage Areas of Magnesite Ore
More than % 90 of produced magnesite ore is used for basic refractor brickmaking by converting to caustic calcined magnesite and sinter magnesite. Raw magnesite on %10 rate is also used for production of magnesium salts and some drugs and cement, paper and sugar industry.
Usage Areas of Magnesium Compounds
1. Magnesium Carbonate: isolation, rubber, ink, glass, ceramics, paint, pharmacy and cosmetics industry.
2. Magnesium Hydroxide: Pharmaceutics and sugar refining.
3. Magnesium Chloride: Magnesium metal production, textile, paper, ceramics and cement.
4. Magnesium sulphate: Pharmaceutics, artificial fertilizer industry.
Typical Chemical Features of Raw Magnesite
MgO : 42 – 46 %
SiO2 : 0,8 – 3 %
Fe2O3 : 0,3 – 1,5 %