Latrobe Magnesium produces first oxides from fly ash

Latrobe Magnesium has commissioned the first phase of its 1,000 tonnes per annum, Stage 1 Demonstration Plant, successfully producing the world’s first environmentally sustainable magnesium oxide (MgO) from fly ash waste from brown coal power generation.

This marks a significant milestone in pioneering a sustainable magnesium extraction method at an industrial scale, using the company’s patented hydromet process, according to the company.

CEO of Latrobe Magnesium David Paterson said: “The world’s first flow sheet using a hydromet process is a testament to our technology, our staff and contractors involved in the process to date.

“As the only new Western producer, the importance of Latrobe Magnesium’s production is globally significant, and this achievement validates our patented hydrometallurgical technology and years of research and development to get to this stage.

LMG will now begin a bankable feasibility study and financing discussions, in relation to a 10,000 tonnes per annum Stage 2 Commercial Plant. 100 percent of the output of this plant is contracted to customers.

MgO production from the Demonstration Plant will be sold to Rainstorm Dust Control Pty Ltd in accordance with the MoU between the parties.

Magnesium is a lightweight metal increasingly used in the manufacture of products like cars, planes, laptop computers, mobile phones and power tools.

LMG’s patented hydrometallurgical extraction/thermal reduction technology extracts magnesium metal from brown coal fly ash, and ferro-nickel slag tailing feedstocks.

The company estimates 25 percent of its revenues will come from by products including MgO, Supplementary Cementitious Material , Silica, Char, Iron Oxide and Agricultural Lime (Calcium Carbonate).

“LMG’s patented process not only reduces the operating cost of traditional magnesium and cement production methods but simultaneously reduces carbon emissions by as much as 60 percent compared to the industry average.

‘Our patented process produces no further downstream tailings, ensuring environmental sustainability.”

A saleable magnesium metal is expected to be produced in the coming months.

The Demonstration Plant was constructed by several local contractors, including Mechanical Maintenance Solutions, O&M Pty Ltd, and Stirloch Constructions Pty Ltd (civil and earthworks services).

Suppliers included Tenova, Steuler-KCH Australia Pty Ltd, Fast Automation Pty Ltd, Coregas Australia, Stable Engineering, Custom Agency Services Pty Ltd, and
Rockwell Australia Pty Ltd.

Picture: Latrobe Magnesium/magnesium oxide produced from fly ash