Where is magnesium sdlfate mined
Executive summary
Magnesium sulfate (commonly “Epsom salt”) is not typically produced as a single mined ore but is recovered from salt deposits, brines and as a downstream product of magnesite/dolomite processing; major natural hosts include salt mines and saline basins such as China’s Qaidam Basin and brine sources like the Great Salt Lake in Utah [1] [2] [3]. Magnesite and related magnesium ores — mined in countries such as China, Turkey, Australia and the United States (Nevada) — feed the magnesium-chemicals industry that yields magnesium sulfates among other compounds [4] [5] [6] [7].
1. Where magnesium sulfate comes from: salts, brines and magnesium ores
Magnesium sulfate is commonly obtained from evaporite salt deposits and saline brines, and it can also be produced chemically from magnesium compounds derived from magnesite, dolomite or other magnesium-rich minerals. Reporting points out that salt mines and brine operations yield byproducts including magnesium sulfate [3] while metadata on magnesium salts in China’s Qaidam Basin shows large identified reserves of magnesium sulfate as a salt resource [1]. The USGS overview describes how magnesite and other magnesium ores are the starting materials for a range of magnesium compounds, including magnesium sulfates [7].
2. Major geological sources and producing regions
Large concentrations of magnesium salts are reported in China’s Qaidam Basin, which holds nearly all of that country’s identified magnesium-salt reserves and specifically substantial magnesium sulfate reserves [1]. Global magnesite and magnesium-ore production is concentrated in countries such as China, Turkey, Australia and others; magnesite mined in these countries supplies the chemical industry that makes magnesium sulfate and related products [6] [4]. In the United States, Nevada hosts domestic magnesite/magnesia mining operations that supply feedstock for magnesium compounds [5] [7].
3. Industrial routes: mined feedstock versus chemical synthesis
Industry sources emphasize two practical routes: extract magnesium-bearing minerals (magnesite, dolomite, carnallite) and process them to magnesium oxide/hydroxide and salts, or recover magnesium salts directly from brines and evaporites. The Metoree manufacturer overview notes magnesium sulfate can also be synthesized by reacting sulfuric acid with magnesium oxide or carbonate — a chemical route that starts from mined magnesia products rather than a primary “magnesium sulfate ore” [8] [7]. Salt-mine literature frames magnesium sulfate as a byproduct of salt/brine extraction, not the primary mined commodity in many deposits [3].
4. Examples on the ground: Great Salt Lake and Gabbs, Nevada
Historical and industrial examples illustrate the mixed supply chain: production from Great Salt Lake brines in Utah has been used to recover magnesium for chemical production [2]. Premier Magnesia’s long-running magnesia mine and processing plant in Gabbs, Nevada is cited as a domestic source of magnesia ore used to make magnesium compounds — a feedstock for magnesium sulfates — showing mining-to-chemical supply chains inside the U.S. [5].
5. Environmental and legacy mining issues that elevate magnesium sulfate visibility
Mining and waste-rock leachate can generate elevated magnesium and sulfate concentrations, making magnesium sulfate an environmental concern at some closed or operating mines. Scientific studies of sites such as Australia’s Ranger uranium mine document magnesium sulfate loads from waste rock and discuss ecological impacts, underscoring that MgSO4 appears in both product streams and pollution pathways from mining [9].
6. What the sources do not say (limitations and gaps)
Available sources do not provide a single global list of active “magnesium sulfate mines” because magnesium sulfate is usually a product of processing salt/brine or of converting mined magnesium ores — not typically a standalone mined ore listed separately (not found in current reporting). Detailed production volumes of magnesium sulfate by country or specific mine-level production figures are not given in the supplied items (not found in current reporting).
7. Competing perspectives and implicit agendas
Industry publications emphasize supply and manufacturing capability (Metoree and company sites highlighting manufacturers and mines) and may frame domestic mines like Gabbs, Nevada as strategic supply sources [8] [5]. Geological and academic sources highlight resource concentrations (Qaidam Basin) and environmental impacts, which can push regulatory or conservation agendas [1] [9]. The USGS material frames magnesite/magnesium compounds in national supply statistics, reflecting policy interest in critical mineral supply chains [7] [10].
Bottom line: magnesium sulfate is produced both as a direct recovery from salt and brine deposits and as a downstream chemical from mined magnesite/dolomite feedstocks; major natural concentrations include China’s Qaidam Basin and brine sources such as the Great Salt Lake, while magnesite mining in countries like China, Turkey, Australia and sites in Nevada supply the chemical industry that yields magnesium sulfates [1] [3] [2] [5] [6] [7].