opportunities

Business Opportunities

Magnesium and Magnesite

Since the 1980s, China has become the world’s leading producer and exporter in a range of important industrial minerals including magnesium and magnesite, something that is vital to steel production. A healthy global steel industry requires that all of these materials be freely traded and widely available. However, as a major producer, China imposes the most export restrictions on magnesium which can have a disproportionate impact on world supply and prices.

Magnesium is used:

To remove sulfur from iron and steel.
To refine titanium in the Kroll process.
To photoengrave plates in the printing industry.
To combine in alloys, where this metal is essential for airplane and missile construction.
In the form of turnings or ribbons, to prepare Grignard reagents, which are useful in organic synthesis.
As an alloying agent, improving the mechanical, fabrication and welding characteristics of aluminum.
As an additive agent in conventional propellants and the production of nodular graphite in cast iron.
As a reducing agent for the production of uranium and other metals from their salts.
As a desiccant, since it easily reacts with water.
As a sacrificial (galvanic) anode to protect underground tanks, pipelines, buried structures, and water heaters.

However, through our network in China, GB is able to supply up to 120,000 tonnes of magnesium and magnesite per year to customers in North America.

Are you a steel producer or magnesium metal manufacturer? Please contact us for more detailed information.