How is magnesium extracted from the ground?

Answer 1

Magnesium exists in several useful minerals in the Earth, of which Dolomite and Bauxite are two. In recent years, China has become the dominant supplier on world markets, (60%) and they use a silicon reduction process (Pidgeon process) for refining. In the US, an electrolytic process is used.

Simple quarrying machinery is used to extract the above ores from the ground.

Answer 2

Magnesium is typically extracted from brine deposits or magnesium-rich minerals through processes such as electrolysis, thermal reduction, or chemical precipitation. These methods involve separating magnesium from other elements present in the extracted material to obtain pure magnesium metal.