general discussion, page-2048

Well that's interesting, because the ferrosilicon is only required for the reduction of MgO to Mg. I wonder why they are having it delivered now? i can only think of a few reasons:
1. It was already ordered and paid for when they had planned to be in Mg production by end of June.
2. Maybe they decided to stock up now for when they need it in the future - I recall Mg production was to be in the Oct-Dec quarter.
3. They are installing the reduction roaster now and expect to be in Mg production much sooner than planned.

Perhaps number 3 may be wishful thinking.

• Thermal reduction process
• In the reduction of magnesium oxide, The reducing agent is ferrosilicon (an alloy of iron and silicon) which is made by heating sand with coke and scraps iron, and typically contains about 80% silicon.
• The oxides are mixed with crushed ferrosilicon, and (can be made into briquettes) loaded into the reactor. Alumina may also be added to reduce the melting point of the SCM. The reaction is normally carried out at 1500 - 1800 K under very low pressure, close to vacuum. Under these conditions the magnesium is produced as a vapour which is condensed by cooling to about 1100 K in steel-lined condensers, and then removed and cast into ingots:
• 
• The forward reaction is endothermic and the position of equilibrium is in favour of magnesium oxide. However, by removing the magnesium vapour as it is produced, the reaction goes to completion. The silica combines with calcium oxide to form the molten slag or in our case SCM, calcium silicate mix:
• 
• The process gives magnesium with up to 99.99% purity, slightly higher than from the electrolytic processes.