A liquid alkali metal silicate composition comprises water, an alkali metal, e.g., sodium silicate, and as curing agent for said alkali metal silicate, a derivative of glyoxal which is 2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxane or glyoxal trimer. The composition optionally contains a Group I-III metal salt, e.g., calcium chloride and hydrogen peroxide. It is easily pumpable and injectable at a temperature of 100 DEG F. or higher.