I'm sorry if I wasn't perfectly clear as I realize that the second equation is not balanced - part of my question should have been, "what is balancing the NO3-?". Everything I've found states the precipitaion occurs and the precipitate can be removed, so the talc (3MgO(SiO2)4H2O) is gone as a solid.
So what balances the NO3-? Since its in H2O, does the water counter-balance by creating H3O+, releasing some oxygen in the process? This doesn't make much sense to me as it would mean the acid (HNO3) is automatically revitalized/regenerated as a result of the precipitation - and I haven't found a source that explains this part of the reaction.
As I said before, my chemistry is weak, so any help is appreciated.