Olivine is a high purity magnesium-iron silicate mineral with the chemical formula (Mg, Fe) 2 SiO 4 . Its name comes from its attractive olive green colour. A naturally occurring, silica-free material, olivine has a high melting point and high density. Its two main constituents are iron-rich fayalite and magnesium-rich forsterite, the levels of which determine the properties of olivine.
High purity magnesium olivine is a highly versatile mineral that offers benefits in a wide range of applications including:
Ballasting: OLIDENSE is a natural, high density aggregate for specialist concrete and ballast applications offshore (concrete pipe linings, wind turbine ballasts, anchors and oil rig ballasts) and onshore (bridges, tunnels, radiation protection, counterweights and ballasts).
Blast Furnaces: OLIFLUX MgO is an additive for sintering, pelletizing and as a direct charge material for blast furnaces in iron production.
Carbon Dioxide Sequestration: olivine is one of the fastest weathering minerals, making it effective in weathering and capturing CO 2 in a growing number of applications (modified silicate weathering – agricultural and mineral and coastal carbonation), research is ongoing.
Foundry: olivine is used in foundries as a core and mould sand in both ferrous and non-ferrous metal castings. It has high heat absorption, low thermal expansion and high refractoriness. Its non-wetting properties make olivine perfect for casting manganese steels.
Thermal Storage: high density combined with high heat resistance makes olivine perfect for storing thermal energy.
Refractories: olivine combines high refractoriness, low thermal conductivity, linear thermal expansion and low reactivity with metals and base slags, and is an excellent raw material in refractories for steel and non-ferrous metal applications. In addition, Sibelco olivine has an extremely low carbon footprint.
Mineral wool: olivine provides stable MgO, which is an indispensable component of mineral wool, especially in high temperature mineral wool for thermal insulation, sound insulation and fire protection.
