IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Emerald Close, HARTLEPOOL, TS24 0GF

Established in 1938 to extract magnesia from seawater with the aid of lime, the site eventually closed in 2005. It was partially demolished, first by contractors and then asset stripped for its scrap metal. The site was sold for housing but until now, nesting birds and the recession had put these plans on hold, but as I write bulldozers are flattening what remains.

Demolition work continues at the former Steetley Magnesite plant.

Established in 1938 to extract magnesia from seawater with the aid of lime, the site eventually closed in 2005. It was partially demolished, first by contractors and then asset stripped for its scrap metal. The site was sold for housing but until now, nesting birds and the recession had put these plans on hold, but as I write bulldozers are flattening what remains.

Sea water was pumped to the Magnesium plant. Steetley extracted magnesia from sea water by reacting it with dolomite. Hartlepool was selected as the site for the factory because of its location close to the high purity dolomite deposits at Coxhoe and the fact that the seawater was of consistent quality and free from dilution by fresh river water. It was also near the Durham coalfield which provided the fuel for the kilns. Refractory grade magnesia is used in the manufacture of refractory bricks, tiles and gunning materials for application in steel, cement and non-ferrous industries. Chemical grade magnesia is used in the manufacture of rubber, plastics, leather, oil, paper pulp and fertilisers. Steetley closed in 2005 after two failed attempts to keep it going. For many more pictures see http://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/sets/72157607430523856/detail/

At North Sands in Hartlepool.

From almost the same location as Richard's (Image) but over two years on. Only the chimney and this tank are left standing. Looks like after demolition any scrap was sold off and the site abandoned with plenty of clearance work still to do. I am informed the site is eventually scheduled for housing. The factory started operation in 1936 to extract magnesia from saltwater. At the time natural magnesia was largely imported from Austria but the deteriorating situation in Europe meant that a new source had to be found. High purity dolomite deposits at Coxhoe, seawater undiluted by river outflows and coal from the Durham coal fields for the kilns meant that Hartlepool was an ideal site. The process involved the reaction of the seawater with the dolomite. Magnesia is used in the manufacture of refractory bricks and tiles, plastics, leather, oil, paper pulp and fertilisers as well as also being used in the steel, cement and non-ferrous industries.

A close up of the access ladder to the tank remaining on the Steetley Magnesite site (see Image).

See Image