The present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of MgO of high purity >99% from salt bitterns via intermediate formation of Mg(OH)2 obtained from the reaction of MgCl2 and
lime, albeit indirectly, i.e., MgCl2 is first reacted with NH3 in
aqueous medium and the
slurry is then filtered with ease. The
resultant NH4Cl-containing filtrate is then treated with any
lime, to regenerate NH3 while the
lime itself gets transformed into CaCl2 that is used for desulphatation of bittern so as to recover
carnallite and thereafter MgCl2 of desired quality required in the present invention. The crude Mg(OH)2 is dried and calcined directly to produce pure MgO, taking
advantage of the fact that adhering impurities in the Mg(OH)2 either volatilize away or get transformed into the desired product, i.e., MgO.