13. Conclusions

When it comes to magnesium extractive metallurgy, energy consumption is the main factor guiding the choice of process. The choice between the metallothermic route and the more energy-intensive electrolytic route depends on the price per kWh, which varies from country to country.

This major concern is compounded by the price of labor, which favors countries with magnesite deposits that produce magnesium and magnesia, and whose labor costs are low. China's mining and metallurgy industry is a good example: the Pidgeon process is highly developed there for magnesium quality, although it is labor-intensive. The very pure metal obtained by this process is used in alloys with rare earths, of which China is the world's leading producer.

Magnesium's properties make it indispensable to the automotive, rail and aerospace industries. What's more, its...