Atomic properties
Market data
Raw material sources & pricing
| Raw Material Form | Grade/Quality | Price Paid by Refiners | Major Sources | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesite Ore | 40-47% MgO | $120-180/MT | China, Turkey, Brazil | Primary source for MgO and refractory |
| Dolomite | 21-22% MgO | $25-45/MT | China, USA, Europe | Used in Pidgeon process |
| Carnallite | 8.7% Mg | $150-250/MT | Germany, Russia, Israel | For electrolytic production |
| Brine (Dead Sea type) | 3-4% Mg | Processing cost basis | Israel, Jordan, USA | Co-produced with potash |
Primary Raw Material Sources
Current Market Price: $2,800-3,200/MT (Primary Magnesium Metal) Major Global Reserves: Russia: 2.3 billion MT (30% of world reserves) - Magnesite deposits China: 1.0 billion MT - Magnesite and dolomite North Korea: 450 million MT - High-grade magnesite Brazil: 390 million MT - Magnesite and brines Australia: 320 million MT - Magnesite 2023 Production Leaders (Magnesite): China: 13 million MT (59% of global production) Turkey: 1.8 million MT Brazil: 1.4 million MT Russia: 1.3 million MT Raw Material Form Grade/Quality Price Paid by Refiners Major Sources Notes Magnesite Ore 40-47% MgO $120-180/MT China, Turkey, Brazil Primary source for MgO and refractory Dolomite 21-22% MgO $25-45/MT China, USA, Europe Used in Pidgeon process Carnallite 8.7% Mg $150-250/MT Germany, Russia, Israel For elect
⚠️ Seawater Magnesium Extraction
Commercial Viability: HISTORICALLY VIABLE BUT CURRENTLY LIMITED Concentration: 0.13% (1,300 ppm) - relatively high for a metal Chemical Form: Mg²⁺ ions in solution Status: Seawater magnesium extraction was pioneered by Dow Chemical in the 1940s and remains technically feasible. Currently, magnesium hydroxide is commercially produced from seawater in China, Japan, Ireland, and the USA (accounting for ~60% of global Mg(OH)₂ production). However, magnesium metal production from seawater has largely ceased due to competition from cheaper land-based sources. Process: Seawater + lime (CaO) → Mg(OH)₂ precipitation → HCl treatment → MgCl₂ → electrolysis → Mg metal
Production cost analysis
| Cost Component | $/MT Magnesium (Pidgeon) | $/MT Magnesium (Electrolytic) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Materials | $600-800 | $1,000-1,200 | Dolomite + ferrosilicon vs MgCl₂ |
| Energy | $800-1,200 | $1,500-2,000 | Coal/gas vs electricity |
| Labor | $200-400 | $300-500 | Labor-intensive Pidgeon process |
| Other Operating Costs | $400-600 | $500-800 | Maintenance, overhead |
| Total Production Cost | $2,000-3,000 | $3,300-4,500 | Selling price: $2,800-3,200/MT |
Energy consumption breakdown
| Process Stage | Energy Type | Temperature | Key Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcination (Pidgeon) | Coal/Natural Gas | 750-900°C | Dolomite → CaO·MgO + CO₂ |
| Reduction (Pidgeon) | Coal/Electric | 1,160-1,200°C | 2(CaO·MgO) + Si → 2Mg + Ca₂SiO₄ |
| Electrolysis Cell | Electricity | 680-750°C | MgCl₂ → Mg + Cl₂ |
| Chlorination (for electrolytic) | Natural Gas | 800-900°C | MgO + C + Cl₂ → MgCl₂ + CO |
Commercial forms & specifications
| Product Form | Chemical Formula | Molecular Weight | Typical Purity | Price Range (USD/kg) | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Metal Ingot | Mg | 24.31 g/mol | 99.8-99.95% | $2.80-3.20 | Alloys, die-casting, steel desulfurization |
| Magnesium Oxide | MgO | 40.30 g/mol | 90-99.5% | $0.30-0.80 | Refractories, ceramics, construction |
| Magnesium Hydroxide | Mg(OH)₂ | 58.32 g/mol | 95-99% | $0.25-0.60 | Flame retardants, antacids, water treatment |
| Magnesium Carbonate | MgCO₃ | 84.31 g/mol | 40-45% MgO | $0.35-0.92 | Rubber, plastics, pharmaceuticals |
| Magnesium Chloride | MgCl₂·6H₂O | 203.30 g/mol | 46-47% MgCl₂ | $0.15-0.35 | De-icing, dust control, tofu coagulant |
| Magnesium Sulfate | MgSO₄·7H₂O | 246.47 g/mol | 99.5% | $0.12-0.25 | Fertilizer, bath salts, medicine |
| Magnesium Powder | Mg | 24.31 g/mol | 99-99.8% | $5.00-15.00 | Pyrotechnics, Grignard reagents |
| Magnesium Alloy (AZ91D) | Mg-Al-Zn | Variable | 90% Mg, 9% Al, 1% Zn | $3.50-4.50 | Die-casting, automotive parts |
Suppliers by country
🇨🇳 China
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Wenxi YinGuang Magnesium | Primary metal, alloys, powder | World's largest Mg producer, Pidgeon process |
| Nanjing Yunhai Special Metals | Mg metal, alloys, die-casting | Integrated producer, automotive focus |
| Taiyuan Tongxiang | Primary magnesium, alloys | Major exporter, multiple production sites |
🇺🇸 United States
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| US Magnesium LLC | Primary magnesium metal | Only US primary producer, Great Salt Lake brine |
| Meridian Lightweight Technologies | Die-cast components | Automotive parts, not primary production |
| Premier Magnesia | MgO, Mg(OH)₂ | Chemical products, not metal |
🇮🇱 Israel
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Sea Magnesium (ICL Group) | Primary metal, alloys, chloride | Dead Sea brine extraction, electrolytic process |
| Israel Chemicals Ltd. | MgCl₂, MgO, specialty compounds | Dead Sea minerals, integrated production |
🇷🇺 Russia
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| VSMPO-AVISMA | Mg metal, titanium sponge | Integrated Ti-Mg producer, aerospace focus |
| Solikamsk Magnesium Works | Primary metal, alloys | Carnallite-based production |
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| UKTMP JSC | Primary magnesium, alloys | Titanium-magnesium complex, electrolytic |
🇧🇷 Brazil
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesita Refratários (RHI Magnesita) | MgO, refractory products | World's largest refractory producer |
Market demand by product form
| Application | Market Share | Growth Rate | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Alloys | 35% | 4-5% | Automotive lightweighting, packaging |
| Die-Casting | 25% | 6-7% | Automotive parts, electronics housings |
| Steel Desulfurization | 15% | 3-4% | Steel quality improvement |
| Nodular Iron | 8% | 3% | Ductile iron production |
| Metal Reduction (Titanium) | 7% | 5-6% | Aerospace titanium demand |
| Other (Chemical, Pharma) | 10% | 4% | Diverse industrial applications |
Market trends
China Dominance: China produces 85% of global magnesium using coal-intensive Pidgeon process Supply Security Concerns: 2021 energy crisis in China caused prices to spike 400%, highlighting supply vulnerability Environmental Pressure: High carbon footprint driving research into cleaner production methods Automotive Lightweighting: Growing use in die-cast parts for EVs and ICE vehicles New Technologies: Carbothermic and microwave-assisted processes showing promise for energy reduction Recycling Limited: Unlike aluminum, Mg recycling remains challenging due to oxidation Price Volatility: Prices increased 5.29% in early 2025, market remains sensitive to Chinese policy Western Production Revival: Interest in domestic production due to supply chain concerns
Moles per kilogram
| Product Form | Formula | MW (g/mol) | Moles/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Metal | Mg | 24.31 | 41.14 |
| Magnesium Oxide | MgO | 40.30 | 24.81 |
| Magnesium Hydroxide | Mg(OH)₂ | 58.32 | 17.15 |
| Magnesium Carbonate | MgCO₃ | 84.31 | 11.86 |
| Magnesium Chloride (hexahydrate) | MgCl₂·6H₂O | 203.30 | 4.92 |
| Magnesium Sulfate (heptahydrate) | MgSO₄·7H₂O | 246.47 | 4.06 |
References
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