Characterizing Components of Cements using Morphologi G3-ID Sponsored by Malve Instruments LtdOct 27 2016 Table of Content Introduction Methodology Conclusion Introduction Every year, approximately three billion tons of cement is produced. This huge volume accounts for 10% of global CO2 production and 10-15% of global energy consumption in industry. The demand for cement is growing with the increasing growth of developing nations, which results in increased CO2 production and energy consumption. This creates environmental social responsibility conces and inherent cost. Approximately 50% of the CO2 emissions caused by the production of cement is due to the calcination of limestone. Clinker produced from the calcination of limestone is mixed with gypsum to produce Portland cement, which is an important ingredient in most of the concrete and cement available in the market. However, Portland cement has not always been a key ingredient of cement. Romans used Pozzolan-lime cements to bui

RHI & Magnesita: how they stack up One could argue that last week’s aouncement of the proposed merger of two of the world’s largest magnesia and refractory groups – RHI AG’s takeover of Magnesita Refratários SA to form RHI Magnesita – was only a matter of time. RHI Magnesita will fuse together the world’s second and third largest refractory groups, pooling an impressive stable of refractory producing facilities and considerable refractory raw material resources, dominated by magnesite and dolomite. Mega-Mag-Merger: Magnesita’s vast Pedra Preta magnesite mine, near Brumado, Bahia, Brazil, which provides >1m. tpa feedstock for dead bued and caustic calcined magnesia production could be joining RHI’s equally impressive magnesite resources in Austria (Ibar Nordeste’s magnesite mine is in the background, soon to be exporting its DBM production).

Refractory minerals outlook: slow growth period looms Mineral supply chain and market competition awareness urged One of industrial minerals’ key consuming markets, refractories, is expected to undergo a period of slow growth for the next few years, meaning at least steady, if not reduced, demand for refractory minerals. RHI AG’s Weissenstein magnesite mine, Austria, supplies feedstock for dead bued magnesia used in refractories The steel industry is the main driver for refractories, consuming 70% refractory bricks and monolithics, and is projected to grow by a mere 0.5-1.8% in the next few years, according to Hans Jürgen Kerkhoff, President of the German Steel Federation. Speaking at the opening session of last week’s UNITECR 2015 in Viea, the bieial gathering of the world’s refractories industry, Kerkhoff waed that the industry should be adapting to the “new normal” of steel production performance, ie. a low growth period, following many years of increasing ou

September 2015 Contents 1. Big Picture: Industrial minerals & their supply chain 2. Refractory minerals overview 3. Refractory minerals focus: Magnesia, Graphite, Bauxite, Andalusite 4. Conclusions & Outlook

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RHI and Magnesita agree to merge By Davide Ghilotti Published: Thursday, 06 October 2016 The new company to be set up, RHI Magnesita, will have a foothold in Europe and Latin America and control the sourcing of key raw materials - such as magnesite-based DMB, CCM and DBD - used in refractory production, ensuring global supply with over 50 facilities. Leading refractory producers, Austria’s RHI AG and Brazil-based Magnesita GP, have agreed to a merger to create a new entity, RHI Magnesita, to be based in the Netherlands and listed on the London stock exchange. RHI will acquire a controlling stake of Magnesita – estimated at a 46% share but no more than 50% – from its current majority shareholders, GP Investments and Rhône, which will be payable through a cash transaction of €118m ($132.3m) and 4.6m shares to be issued by the new company.

Mining Finance: Investing in Iran getting 'easier' By Davide Ghilotti Published: Friday, 14 October 2016 With a treasure trove of 68 minerals and the govement's will to bring in inteational capital, investors were told that they should be looking at Iran as a business prospect for mining commodities including dolomite, bauxite and rare earths. Iran is keen to attract exteal business partners to invest in local mining companies, exploration projects and pursue business opportunities within the country, delegates heard at the Global Mining Finance conference held in London on 13 October. Reference: Link

Using Ceramics in Energy Storage By Benedette CuffariOct 10 2016 cybrain/Shutterstock.com Energy caot be created or destroyed, but ways in which it can be stored efficiently are continuously evolving with the increased energy requirements and advances in technology going on in the world today. By creating a power supply for future use, energy storage systems are able to provide consumers with a resilient energy infrastructure that aims to be both practical and cost-effective. Six main categories of energy storage systems are employed around the world: solid-state batteries, flow batteries, flywheels, compressed air storage, thermal, and pumped hydro-powered systems. The type of storage system used depends entirely on the type of energy needed to be contained, whether that is thermal, solar, kinetic, chemical, or nuclear. Ceramics, which are often thought of as inorganic and nonmetallic materials, exhibit a wide range of useful properties that enable it to be utilized far beyond i