The vast majority of dolomite produced in the United States is typically used as a construction aggregate, where little value is added to the material mined. Dolomite mined at the Baker Refractories Company in York, Pennsylvania, has a unique combination of both chemical and physical characteristics that allow it to be manufactured into a wide variety of valuable refractory products. This manufacturing process begins with highly selective mining in the quarry, and progresses through the various crushing and screening circuits to yield a feed for the rotary kilns. The dolomite is then sintered at very high temperatures to yield a refractory grain of high density and high purity. This refractory grain is crushed, milled, sized and delivered to either a refractory brick plant or goes to make speciality refractory products. At the brick plant the refractory grain is mixed, pressed, fired or tempered, and packaged for worldwide distribution. Many steps are involved in the production of a refractory brick and other refractory product. Each of these steps adds value to the final product. The challange is to ensure that the value added is at least a little more than the additional cost.
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