Refratechnik, Haicheng Guotian Mining and Yingkou Jinlong Refractories have signed a joint venture contract for the production of high-grade caustic calcined magnesia (CCM) and dead burned magnesia (DBM) in Pailou town, Haicheng, China.

Yingkou Jinlong Refractories is a long-standing partner of Refratechnik in China and Haicheng Guotian Mining is an existing CCM and DBM producer in Haicheng with long-term secure access to magnesite ore.

The construction of the new state-of-the-art plant, which also includes flotation, has started and production will commence in 2019. Rated capacity at this stage is 100,000tpa DBM and over 100,000tpa of CCM and related industrial minerals.

This is a significant step in the strategy of further upstream integration to secure supply for Refratechnik's worldwide refractory production and to diversify and strengthen its international industrial minerals business.

 Refratechnik's strategic magnesia resource base is strengthened by adding to its Baymag world-class magnesite operation in Canada.