Methods and systems for producing activated silicate materials are disclosed. A silicate source material is provided for reaction with a reforming agent in a reforming process. The reforming process is a hydrothermal process and/or a high temperature silicate reforming (HTSR) process. The reaction materials are brought to the suitable reaction temperature via a heat source in the presence of the suitable reaction medium. The activated silicate materials exhibit improved reactivity compared to non-activated silicate materials and thus are advantageously employed in elemental extraction processes to produce a valuable material product.