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SUMMARY
Brucite, Mg[(OH).sub.2], is an uncommon mineral primarily known to mineral collectors, and to specialists studying contact metamorphic and ultramafic rocks. It is an environmentally friendly flame-retardant and is in commercial demand; it also represents a potential ore source for the metal, magnesium, which is itself in great demand. The present brucite market for flame-retardants is less than 50 000 tonnes annually, but it is increasing exponentially. Brucite has the advantage of not containing C[O.sub.2]; hence none is released during calcination, a positive feature in today's society concerned with climate change. This review paper ...