Dolomite Mineral

Dolomite is a transitory mineral. It has an intermediate composition between lime stone and Magnetite. It is mainly used as:

• Ornamental stone
• Raw material for the manufacture of cement
• Source of magnesium oxide.

It is also an important petroleum reservoir rock, and serves as the host rock for large strata-bound Mississippi valley-type (MVT) ore deposits of base metals (that is, readily oxidized metals) such as lead, zinc and copper. Where calcite limestone is uncommon or too costly, dolomite is sometime used in its place as a flux (impurity remover) for the smelting of iron and steel. It also finds usage in horticulture, home and container gardening.