Magnesium
About Magnesium
Magnesium is the lightest structural metal, approximately one-third lighter than aluminum, making it highly valuable for lightweighting in automotive and aerospace applications. China produces roughly 85% of the world's magnesium, creating a severe supply concentration that has prompted multiple supply crises. It is also essential as an alloying element in aluminum and in steel desulfurization processes.
Primary Uses
Top Producing Countries
Quick Facts
- Symbol
- Mg
- Atomic Number
- 12
- Category
- Base Metal
- Criticality Level
- High
- Supply Risk
- High
- Top Producer
- China
- USGS Critical List
- Listed
- EU CRM List
- Listed
Explore Magnesium In Depth
Dive into detailed analysis across 11 key topics covering every aspect of the Magnesium value chain.
Uses & Applications
Discover the primary industrial, technological, and commercial applications of Magnesium across key sectors.
Supply Chain
Trace the Magnesium supply chain from mine to market, including key intermediaries, processing hubs, and trade flows.
Mining & Processing
Learn how Magnesium is extracted, concentrated, and processed into usable forms for downstream industries.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore the refining methods, purity grades, and technical specifications that define Magnesium products.
Recycling
Assess the recycling potential, current recovery rates, and circular economy opportunities for Magnesium.
Substitutes
Evaluate possible substitutes and alternative materials that could reduce dependence on Magnesium.
Investing
Understand the investment landscape for Magnesium, including equities, ETFs, futures, and direct exposure strategies.
Price
Analyze Magnesium pricing mechanisms, historical trends, benchmarks, and the factors that drive market volatility.
Companies
Identify the major miners, processors, and technology companies involved in the Magnesium value chain.
Projects
Review the significant mining and processing projects shaping the future supply of Magnesium worldwide.
Risks
Examine the supply risks, geopolitical vulnerabilities, and strategic concerns associated with Magnesium.
Return to the full Mineral Library to explore other critical and strategic minerals.