As I try very hard to have a balanced perspective it is also one of my interests to follow competition within the Magnesium sector. I never down ramp.
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The following article is interesting from the perspective of a company with technology that is also using a waste feed stock (from desalination), aiming for zero CO2 and looking to be highly efficient in magnesium production costs.
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'Magnium Australia' is a fair way behind Latrobe Magnesium as they have only finished a pre-feasibility stage. Yet they have very good support.
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What is interesting and also a smack in the face for Latrobe Magnesium and the Victorian Government is the support for their project from WA Government (McGowan who is very proactive). The point also being that the Latrobe Valley is also going through a transitioning economy with the closure of power stations, so why not similar support?
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I also wonder if Latrobe Magnesium ever approached Energy Australia regarding project funding or a joint venture.. Mmmmm. Where is the Department of Regional Development and their support for LMG. I know that the $1 million funding support from the Victorian Government keeps just being pushed around. When will they take decisive action?
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Nevertheless, LMG are fully funded for the 1000tpa plant, but we should not take out mind too far from the very significant scale-up to the 10,000tpa plant in the near future.
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What also is interesting and somewhat annoying is that CSIRO appear to be a flirt with technology for at least three magnesium projects in Australia.
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As I have suggested before, I wonder the crossover in chemistry and process and how any intellectual property in joint research is protected.
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It is possibly a moot point and covered by contractual arrangements. Although, from personal experience I know how easy it is to invariably and inadvertently transfer knowledge and systems from project to project.
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It remains my personal opinion and detailed in numerous reports, that LMG are in a unique position given their valuable by-products and easily attainable, removal of toxic environmental waste. We are also in production by end of 1st quarter 2023 (Not allowing for unforseen delays).
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To the article...
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Green magnesium refinery proposal
for Collie reaches mileston.
Friday, 17 June 2022
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Pre-feasibility study completed into establishing a state-of-the-art carbon neutral magnesium metal refinery. McGowan Government commits to next steps for the project. Up to $2 million for detailed study to be undertaken into producing magnesium hydroxide from wastewater.
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The McGowan Government's efforts to attract new and emerging industries into Collie's transitioning economy continue to make progress, with a bid to establish a game-changing carbon neutral magnesium refinery taking the next step.
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A pre-feasibility study - funded by the McGowan Government - into the viability of building a state-of-the-art magnesium plant in Collie has been completed, highlighting the South-West town as an ideal location in Western Australia for the proposed project.
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Project proponents Magnium Australia seek to establish the world's most energy efficient and low emissions production of magnesium from Australian minerals and renewable energy.
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The multi-stage project would commercialise a breakthrough technology developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation for producing magnesium metal.
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Magnesium ingots with purity greater than 99.8 per cent would be produced to create the lightweight metals and alloys needed for decarbonisation. This would support global supply chains in the aerospace and transport sectors, as well as in the production of other critical metals including titanium.
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To support the industry with a feedstock of magnesium hydroxide, the McGowan Government will fund a feasibility study into the provision of magnesium hydroxide as a byproduct of desalination.
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Up to $2 million will be invested in the initial stages of the Study, which will be conducted by Water Corporation in partnership with the South West Development Commission and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
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In addition, the State government will undertake further investigations and planning to enhance industrial land readiness and support new and emerging industries, including transport access and power supply solutions in strategic industrial areas.
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Earlier this week the McGowan Government announced a $200 million Collie Industrial Transition Fund to secure major new industrial projects to Collie and support industrial land readiness.
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For more information about the Collie Futures Fund, or to apply for funding, visit www.swdc.wa.gov.au
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Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
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"Magnium's proposal will help build Western Australia's capability in critical minerals processing industries and deliver a real win for Collie - driving new blue-collar local jobs for the town.
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" We will continue to work closely with project proponents to get this project off the ground, including addressing land and infrastructure needs.
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"The McGowan Government is absolutely committed to a strong future for Collie, and detailed work on projects like this is what will deliver for local workers."
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Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:
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"WA's State-owned Water Corporation is already a world leader in desalination technology, providing up to 145 gigalitres of drinking water from desalination to the people of Perth and the State's South-West in response to the impacts of climate change.
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"Water Corporation's innovative work to enable the extraction of green magnesium from the by-product of desalination is to be celebrated."
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Comments attributed to Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
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"Collie has much to offer - and with support from the McGowan Government, it is getting attention from companies looking to establish innovative projects.
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"By leveraging the town's strengths, the McGowan Government is attracting private sector investment that will create the jobs of the future for Collie and the wider community.
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"It is fantastic that Collie's potential is being recognised, attracting really innovative proposals and setting Collie up for the long-term as an industrial town with jobs for local workers."
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Ends.
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"Knowledge is very valuable but knowledge combined with wisdom is priceless"
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It is very important to remember that Magnium Australia is not listed on the ASX (Yet). It will be interesting to see when they potentially become a LTD Company.
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Regards
Ken
