Latrobe Magnesium Limited (ASX:LMG) is forging ahead with plans to build a demonstration plant in the Latrobe Valley of Victoria to produce, initially, 1,000-tonnes per annum of magnesium metal, and has now signed up a supplier for the longest-lead-time item on its list.
Tenova S.p.A., part of the Techint Group and a leading developer of sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metals industry, has been awarded a contract to supply spray roaster technology as part of LMG’s world-first magnesium extraction and production method.
The technology uses a patented hydrometallurgical extraction and thermal reduction process.
Back in June, LMG also awarded the early engineering works to Tenova.
Spray roasting key to extracting magnesium
Spray roasting is a commonly used technology in the steel industry that has been adapted for use in the LMG flowsheet for extracting and producing magnesium metal.
The technology also provides for regeneration of an important reagent, enhancing the cost-effectiveness of LMG’s process.
Tenova is an established provider of this technology and LMG says it is pleased to have Tenova as a partner in supplying this technology for use in its demonstration plant.
Positive future perspectives
“Through many years of experience and continuous improvement of the pyro hydrolysis process, Tenova is able to meet specific customer requirements,” said Gregor Kappacher, branch manager at Tenova Austria, the competence centre for spray roaster technology.
“The positive and constructive cooperation with Latrobe during the development phase of the magnesium production facility was a decisive factor to now deepen this work in the course of realisation.
“The project is of paramount importance for Tenova because it opens positive future perspectives and is in line with our effort towards achieving a sustainable industry.”
The spray roaster represents some 28% of the LMG’s plant costs and is the longest lead time item.
The plant will harvest magnesium metal from Yallourn fly ash resource – a waste stream from its brown coal power generation.
100% resource conversion; 50% lower emissions
The project is at the forefront of environmental sustainability as it converts 100% of the resource into valuable commodities, including the by-products.
LMG will be able to produce magnesium with around 50% lower carbon emissions than comparable magnesium production plants and is looking to reduce this even further by adopting renewable energy in the future.
The demonstration plant will initially have a capacity of 1,000 tonnes of magnesium metal per year.
The next stage will see LMG expand this into a commercial-scale operation with a planned production capacity in the range of 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes per annum of magnesium metal.
About Tenova
Tenova, part of the Techint Group, is a worldwide partner for sustainable, innovative and reliable solutions in the metals and – also through the well-known TAKRAF and DELKOR brands – in the mining industries.
Tenova leverages a workforce of more than 2,200 forward-thinking professionals in 19 countries across five continents, who design technologies and develop services that help companies:
- reduce costs;
- save energy;
- limit environmental impact; and
- improve working conditions.