MAGNESIUM STUDY: PFS for Wynward recovery is positive

SASKATCHEWAN – The preliminary feasibility study for the production of magnesium compounds at the proposed Wynward potash mine near the town of the same name is positive. Owner Karnalyte Resources of Calgary says that if the plant is built, it would have a capacity of 100,000 t/y of magnesium chloride brine at 32% MgCl₂ concentration and 104,000 t/d of hydromagnesite, a form of basic magnesium carbonate, at 99% purity.

The construction of the magnesium product facility is dependent on the development of a 625,000 t/d potash mine and mill at the site. The total cost of the magnesium plant is expected to be roughly $156 million.

Karnalyte hopes to build a solution potash mine based on 155 million tonnes of proven and probable reserves. Such an operation would eventually have an annual capacity of 2.125 million tonnes. It will cost $593 million for the start-up of the initial 625,000 t/y operation, and approximately $2 billion for the 2.125-million t/y operation. A bankable feasibility study for potash production has been completed that foresees production as early as 2015.

Learn more about Karnalyte’s plans by visiting Karnalyte.com.