The formation process of magnesite is full of the magic and mystery of nature, and it is mainly formed through the following ways. During the sedimentary metamorphism process, magnesium-containing sediments undergo changes in their internal structure and composition under the influence of geological processes such as high temperature and high pressure over long geological periods, gradually crystallizing to form magnesite. When magnesium-rich hydrothermal fluids react chemically with surrounding rocks, the magnesium ions in the hydrothermal fluids will replace certain components in the rocks, thereby forming magnesite. In specific marine sedimentary environments, magnesium elements in seawater precipitate and accumulate under suitable conditions, and after long-term accumulation and compaction, magnesite deposits can also be formed. In addition, when ultrabasic rocks undergo long-term weathering, the minerals in them gradually decompose and transform, which may also produce magnesite.

Due to different ore-forming conditions, magnesite is divided into crystalline magnesite (phanerocrystalline) and amorphous magnesite (cryptocrystalline). Crystalline magnesite occurs in magnesian carbonate rock formations, mostly distributed in areas where ancient crystalline schist systems are exposed, and is associated with magnesium-rich rocks such as dolomite and serpentinite. Due to the high magnesium content during sedimentation, later affected by acidic or basic magma intrusion activities, magnesium-rich hydrothermal fluids replaced and filled along the fractures or interlayers of dolomite or limestone to form ores. Amorphous magnesite mostly occurs in the middle and lower parts of the weathering crust of ultrabasic rocks, formed by the weathering of magnesium-rich rocks such as peridotite and serpentinite and the leaching and sedimentation of surface water.

The distribution of magnesite resources in the world is unbalanced. Countries with large outputs include Russia, China, Slovakia, North Korea, Austria, etc., accounting for about 85%-90% of the world's total output. However, gem-grade magnesite is mainly produced in Brazil.

China is the country with the most abundant magnesite resources in the world, with magnesite reserves ranking first in the world. The proven total reserves of magnesite are about 3.6 billion tons, accounting for 29% of the world's total reserves, most of which are crystalline magnesite. China's magnesite is mainly crystalline magnesite, with rich resources, high grade and large reserves, mainly concentrated in the area from Yingkou Dashiqiao to Haicheng in Liaoning Province, accounting for 80% of the country's reserves. Only the proven and mined mining areas such as Qinghuaishan, Huaziyu, Jinjiapuzi and Xiafangshen reach several billion tons. This area is known as the "World Magnesium Capital" and is a world-class concentrated area of magnesite resources. Magnesite can also be found in Xiuyan, Fengcheng, Kuandian, Zhuanghe and other places in Liaoning Province, like scattered pearls dotting the land of Liaoning. Laizhou City in Shandong Province, relying on its unique geological conditions, also has a certain scale of magnesite resources, injecting vitality into the local economic development. In Subei area of Gansu Province, crystalline magnesite has been nurtured through years of precipitation, quietly waiting to be discovered and utilized. Ganluo, Hanyuan in Sichuan Province and Tibet also have distributions of crystalline magnesite, which are precious gifts from nature to these regions. In addition, amorphous magnesite has been found in ultrabasic rock masses in Shaanxi, Gansu and Inner Mongolia. However, their scales are generally small and the ore body shapes are irregular, like treasures hidden in corners waiting for people to explore and develop.