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European industry is heavily dependent on mineral raw materials, most of which are imported from outside the EU. The global geopolitical situation may disrupt the supply of raw materials, which could have a drastic impact on citizens’ living standards. The EU’s green transition will require a wider range of raw materials, and the European Commission is updating and expanding the Critical Raw Materials List, which includes minerals that are economically very important to European industry and whose supply is under threat. One such commodity is magnesium (Mg). Due to its lightness, Mg is mainly used in alloys with aluminium and in other alloys. However, it is also suitable for the production of batteries and is used in a variety of applications, including transport, packaging and construction. Magnesium is not produced in the EU, most of it is imported from China.

Mg is a metal and is extracted from brines, but also from solid minerals (serpentine, magnesite, dolomite). Slovenia is rich in carbonate rocks, with thick layers of relatively pure dolomite. The question is whether they can be utilised for the extraction of Mg and whether we know enough about this raw material. Slovenian dolomites from the Upper Permian to the Cretaceous are being analysed. The number of proposed sampling sites within each geological formation of dolomitic rocks will be sufficient to determine statistical trends and evaluate lateral and vertical variations. Analysis of the collected samples will include detailed elemental composition, including trace elements and rare earth elements (REE), as well as sedimentological and mineralogical characterisation. Detailed microstructural investigations using advanced microscopic techniques (optical microscopy, SEM/EDXS, FEG, SEM, Raman microspectroscopy, etc.) will provide insight into the mechanisms of trace element incorporation into the crystalline phases of dolomites. The results of the trace element analyses will be further processed by descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, cluster and factor analysis). The statistical populations obtained will be compared with the microstructural results to identify possible multiphase events. Lithogenic models and a geological model of pore fluid evolution will be proposed and placed in the regional geodynamic context of the area. The dolomites will be classified according to age and composition, resulting in the first chemostratification of Slovenian dolomites. The concept is based on a transdisciplinary approach that combines investigation methods from geology, chemistry and materials science. The project will also have a strong impact beyond its core scientific field (geology), as the experimental concept of Mg extraction from domestic mineral raw materials such as dolomites (TRL level 3) will be demonstrated in the laboratory. In addition, Slovenian dolomites will be valorised for potential Mg extraction.

Lead partner: Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute

Project partners: GeoZS, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology

Project phases:

1. sampling: various dolomites of Slovenia, by age, and according to the associated geotectonic unit;

2. analyses: elemental composition, sedimentological analyses, mineralogical composition, microstructure;

3. magnesium extraction: calcination, optimization, pyrometallurgical tests;

4. lithogeochemical models, economic assessment and next steps;

5. dissemination;

6. management.

Phase 1 and partly phases 2 and 3 have been completed, phases 2, 3, 5 and 6 are underway, and in the last year we will focus primarily on phase 4.

Selected bibliography:

IMPERL, Jernej, LAVRIHA, Domen, KOLAR, Mitja, ŽIBRET, Gorazd, DUCMAN, Vilma, ŽIBRET, Lea. Separation of magnesium from dolomite with different extraction methods. V: PINTAR, Albin (ur.). Slovenski kemijski dnevi 2024 : zbornik povzetkov = book of abstracts : 30 let = 30 years : 18.-20. september 2024, Bernardin, Portorož. Elektronska izd. Ljubljana: Slovensko kemijsko društvo, 2024. Str. 130. ISBN 978-961-95922-3-6. https://skd2024.chem-soc.si/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SKD-2024-Zbornik-povzetkov_compressed.pdf. [COBISS.SI-ID 208763651]

IMPERL, Jernej, KOLAR, Mitja, DUCMAN, Vilma, ŽIBRET, Gorazd, ŽIBRET, Lea. Selective seperation of magnesium from Slovenian dolomites. V: ŠTIRBANOVIĆ, Zoran (ur.), TRUMIĆ, Milan (ur.). XVI International Mineral Processing & Recycling Conference : IMPRC 2025 : proceedings : 28-30 May 2025, Belgrade, Serbia. Bor: University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty, 2025. Str. 113-118, tabele. ISBN 978-86-6305-158-4. https://imprc.tfbor.bg.ac.rs/download/IMPRC_2025_Proceedings.pdf, DOI: 10.5937/IMPRC25113I. [COBISS.SI-ID 238466307]