Magnola Process Description

In October of 1997, Noranda approved construction of the Magnola magnesium plant, which will be the first in the world to use mining residues to produce magnesium. The plant will cost approximately $730 million, and will be located in Danville, Quebec.

Pictured below is a computer simulation of what the Magnola Metallurgy plant will look like when completed, in the year 2000.

Magnola Plant Site in Danville, Quebec (now in construction)

Magnola is expected to have a production capacity of 63,000 tonnes of magnesium per year, or close to 20% of world supply, and will create 315 direct jobs. The plant's raw material source will be a pre-existing 300-year supply of serpentine tailing which contain 24% magnesium, located adjacent to the plant site.

An environmental impact study was submitted to the government of Quebec in February of 1997. As part of Magnola's information and consultation program, eight public meetings were held, attended by more than 2,000 residents. The Province of Quebec's Bureau d'audience publique sur l'environnement held public hearings in October and November 1997, and the recommendations of this independent commission were received on March 3, 1998.

Magnola received final government approval for the construction of the plant on April 8, 1998. Construction began in the spring of 1998 and will last approximately 24 months.

Commercial metal production should begin in late 2000, with full production reached by the end of 2001.

To examine the flow-sheet for the Magnola Process, click here or on the thumbnail above. In addition, some information about magnesium is online, including advantages and end uses.

Click here to go back to the Magnola Process page