The Queensland Magnesia Project is based on a unique cryptocrystalline
nodular magnesite orebody which required an innovative approach to
process design in order to economically exploit the characteristics of the
ore and produce a marketable range of high quality refractory magnesias
for a declining world market. High quality natural refractory magnesia must have an MgO content in
excess of 95 per cent with a very strictly controlled content and ratio of
residual impurities such as calcium, silica and iron. The natural products
compete with magnesias derived by chemical extraction from sea water or
brines which exhibit very high purity but often lack other characteristics
which are of value to refractory brick makers. Since start up in late-1991 QMAG has achieved a remarkable market
penetration for both its deadburned and electrofused products with sales
for the 1993/94 financial year representing 92 per cent of deadburned
capacity and 138 per cent of original electrofused capacity respectively,
all at a time when the world steel industry has been in recession.