Magnesia supply overview at the MagForum 2023
Mike O’Driscoll provided an overview of world magnesite reserves and supply, also underlining other important magnesia mineral sources such as kieserite, brucite, and olivine. He reflected on the shrinking number of primary refractory dead burned magnesia (DBM) producers, and even fewer fused magnesia (FM) producers existing outside China.
Most are now captive producers with natural magnesia sources, and integrated with a refractories producer/owner. There are very few independents, which are all synthetic sourced producers.
Notable is that obviously the overseas activities of Magnezit Group, Russia, are somewhat challenged at present.
Also, the long-established seawater magnesia producer Premier Periclase Ltd, Republic of Ireland, remained idled under administration at the time of MagForum 2023. However, days later it was acquired on 6 June 2023 by Meridiam and Gyrogy, which intend to redevelop the industrial site “…and over time transform it into a modern, mixed-use industrial campus offering low carbon energy solutions.”
In spite of China’s continuing dominance in magnesia world trade, there remains growing interest in developing alternative sources ex-China, including a resurgence in other magnesia mineral sources such as dolomite, serpentinite, olivine, and dunite.
Meanwhile, established ex-China magnesia producers (and some consumers) are strengthening resources, capabilities, and vertical integration for supply security.
