Slovak dolomite as a raw material source for metal magnesium production

In order to ensure within the EU, preferably, self-sufficiency, a stable supply of the essential mineral raw materials required for industry led to the establishment of the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA). One of the key objectives is access to sustainable raw materials, as well as support for exploration and mining of raw materials within the EU. Metallic magnesium has been included in the list of critical minerals for European Union countries since 2011. The most suitable raw material for the MgO production for method of silicothermic reduction is dolomite or magnesite, at which Slovak Republic has considerable resources of these carbonate raw materials. For technological research, six samples from different deposites were chosen. The samples were annealed at selected temperatures and characterized by differential thermal analyses. The results showed that for the silicothermic reduction of magnesium, it is necessary to individually verify the calcination conditions for each sample and determine the influence of the hydration activity/active sites in their structure to increase the reduction of magnesium.