To produce our range of Sibelco QMAG (Queensland Magnesia) magnesia products, raw magnesite is fed into furnaces, where it is heated by natural gas to 1000°C to produce magnesia (MgO) or caustic calcined magnesium oxide (CCM) products. Further upgrading of the calcined magnesia is completed prior to producing Sibelco’s high-grade deadburned magnesia and electrofused products.

Deadburned magnesia (DBM)

Upgraded calcined magnesia is finely ground and compressed into briquettes for deadburning. The grinding and briquetting steps produce the highest quality magnesia with respect to homogeneity and density. The briquettes are heated to around 2000°C to form sintered or deadburned magnesia.

Electrofused magnesia (EFM)

Electrofused magnesia (EFM) is produced by melting calcined magnesia at >3000°C in electric arc furnaces. Ingots formed in this process are cooled, stripped and broken up. The product passes through a series of crushing, sorting and screening processes.