20 Critical Minerals Potential in the Land of Enchantment: Past Production and Future Potential

Global demand for critical minerals is increasing. These non-fuel minerals are essential for clean energy and high-tech industries. New Mexico's future critical minerals potential is being re-evaluated through USGS Earth MRI surveys and DOE-funded efforts.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Alvarado B

New Mexico Magnesium: Dolomite Magnesium Resources of New Mexico

Paper number: 20-9
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 11:10 AM – 11:30 AM

Authors

Abstract

Devlon R. Shaver, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM 87801, devlon.shaver@nmt.edu

Virginia T. McLemore, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM 87801, virginia.mclemore@nmt.edu

 

New Mexico is host to large dolomite deposits, and some of these deposits are rich in magnesium, a critical mineral. Magnesium is a vital component of many modern-day applications, it is used in the manufacture of certain medicines, fertilizers, and batteries. Most magnesium is imported from foreign sources. While magnesium can be found in many minerals, dolomite, magnesite, brucite, carnallite, and olivine are major commercial sources of magnesium. Large volumes of magnesium can be produced from dolomite, which is a magnesium-rich carbonate rock that most commonly forms from altered limestones. Most dolomite in New Mexico is present in sedimentary formations, such as the San Andres Limestone in the Sacramento mountains.

Fourteen Ordovician (O) to Tertiary (Te) dolomite deposits exhibit over 15% MgO in their chemical makeup, displaying a high economic potential for magnesium production in New Mexico. The highest measured concentration for MgO in the dolomite deposits studied is 21.6 % (Florida Mountains), while the lowest qualifying concentration is 16% MgO (Victorio Mountains).  In New Mexico, magnesium is currently produced solely for fertilizer as langbeinite from the Carlsbad Potash district. At least one company is considering producing magnesium from dolomite near Deming, from the Fusselman and Montoya dolomites of the Florida Mountains.

 

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410652

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