S. Khaoash^1,, J.K. Mohanty²

Rocks rich in magnesium hold good prospect as substitute flux for dolomite and limestone and quartz in iron and steel industry. Our dependence on foreign imports, as far as raw materials like limestone or dolomite are concerned, has nonetheless eroded the competitive ability of Indian iron and steel. The quality of raw materials used determines to a large extent, the productivity and therefore utilisation of the capital assets in an integrated steel plant. Scarcity of metallurgical grade limestone and dolomite especially of blast furnace (B.F.) and steel melting shop (S.M.S.) grades have shifted focus to the quality and pricing of steel in India. The Boula-Nausahi Igneous Complex of Odisha consists of ultramafic suite that includes dunite-peridotite-pyroxenite-lherzolite and their altered product (serpentinite). These ultramafic rocks are enriched with high MgO and low SiO₂ contents and very low Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃ and alkalis contents.

magnesium, flux, iron and steel industry, Boula-Nausahi igneous complex