Methods of processing magnesium silicate materials are described to produce a number of products including magnesium hydroxide. Related methods of use of processed magnesium silicate and other reaction products are described for energy production, cement manufacture and carbon sequestration. In one embodiment the method comprises subjecting a magnesium silicate source to an acid digestion; increasing the digested liquid pH to produce a magnesium salt solution; subjecting the magnesium salt solution to electrolysis; and recovering magnesium hydroxide produced from electrolysis. By-products such as silica, iron oxy(oxides) and others are also described along with further reaction products such as magnesium oxide and magnesium carbonate.

A method of producing magnesium cement. The method may comprise mixing water at a temperature of between approximately 50 C. and 100 C., a magnesium oxygen-containing compound and a magnesium salt. In some embodiments, the water is heated to a temperature of between approximately 70 C. and 90 C. The magnesium oxygen-containing compound may comprise one or more of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium salt may comprise one or more of magnesium acetate, magnesium bromide, magnesium oxalate, magnesium thiosulfate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium silicate, a magnesium chloride in any hydration state, anhydrous magnesium chloride, hexahydrate magnesium chloride, a magnesium sulfate in any hydration state, anhydrous magnesium sulfate, heptahydrate magnesium sulfate and magnesium carbonate.

A method of producing magnesium cement. The method may comprise mixing water at a temperature of between approximately 50 C. and 100 C., a magnesium oxygen-containing compound and a magnesium salt. In some embodiments, the water is heated to a temperature of between approximately 70 C. and 90 C. The magnesium oxygen-containing compound may comprise one or more of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium salt may comprise one or more of magnesium acetate, magnesium bromide, magnesium oxalate, magnesium thiosulfate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium silicate, a magnesium chloride in any hydration state, anhydrous magnesium chloride, hexahydrate magnesium chloride, a magnesium sulfate in any hydration state, anhydrous magnesium sulfate, heptahydrate magnesium sulfate and magnesium carbonate.