Company history of KMI

Situated near the border between the two Austrian states of Carinthia and Styria, nestling among the mountain ranges of the Koralpe and Packalpe, is the small village of Waldenstein.

Iron ore has been mined here since the Roman period. Enthroned above today‘s mine and the factory is a romantic castle which was erected in 1150 to protect the iron mines. Many generations of miners have contributed since to the current success of this historic mine.

The extraction of micaceous iron oxide commenced around 1900, from then on MIOX^® started its successful advance around the world.

With an export share of more than 90 per cent, the Kärntner Montanindustrie MIOX^® CENTER holds a leading position in the world market. MIOX^® is exported to over 80 countries worldwide, with new markets opening up every year. From offshore drilling platforms in the North Sea to refineries in the Middle East, from the Bosporus Bridge in Turkey to the Harbour Bridge in Sidney, the list of objects protected by MIOX^® is sheer endless.

Waldenstein ore contains a natural iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) which distinguishes it from other iron ores a.o. with its metallic grey lustre. Its lamellar structure – resembling that of mica – has also given it its name. Through a process of drying, grinding, screening and cleaning, the rock which is also known as hematite is turned into a soft, grey lustrous material with lamellar particles.

It is precisely this lamellar structure and the strict adherence to a given grain size distribution that allows its use as a colour pigment, with properties which cannot be achieved by any other type of micaceous iron oxide. MIOX^® micaceous iron oxide is used in the following application areas:

• Anti-rust protection (heavy corrosion protection)
• Individual customer applications
• Decorative metal protection