EPA Victoria extends Latrobe Magnesium’s pilot project licence

Minerals-from-waste processing company Latrobe Magnesium has been granted an extension to its pilot project licence, now valid until February 2, 2027, by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria.

The licence governs operations at its Hazelwood North site, where the company is pursuing its patented process to extract MgO from fly ash, a byproduct of brown coal power generation. 

According to an ASX statement from Latrobe Magnesium on Monday, the extension will allow it to demonstrate steady-state production of MgO “and the associated byproducts—char, silica, agricultural lime and iron oxide—produced from beneficiated coal ash.”

However, the company is still waiting on full commissioning and operation permissions, with the EPA potentially having “some comments which they will advise LMG [of] by the middle of next week.”

“Once the full permissions are received, LMG can start the production of MgO and associated byproducts, which is a critical output from our demonstration plant and an essential step toward our commercial-scale magnesium operations,” said CEO David Paterson.

Latrobe expects a “full complement of operations staff” to begin on August 4, followed by the first production material output immediately following “a period of training and familiarisation”.

The availability of MgO and associated byproducts at production scale will also allow for advancement of “longstanding commercial-in-confidence discussions with various parties who have expressed interest in conducting production trials, with a view to establishing long-term offtake agreements.” 

Picture: credit Latrobe Magnesium

Further reading

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Latrobe Magnesium produces first oxides from fly ash

Latrobe Magnesium presses ahead with MgO production

Latrobe Magnesium protects its technology

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