The company ECO2 Magnesia, which intends to set up near the defunct Carey mine in Tring-Jonction and Sacr-Coeur-de-Jsus, has just received the conclusive results of a study report on the carbon footprint of the production of magnesium oxide (MgO) with its ECO2 process.
According to the report, ECO2 Magnesia is able to produce environmentally friendly magnesium oxide with the lowest carbon footprint in the world. The study shows that the technology emits up to 30 times less greenhouse gases than its competitors. The carbon footprint is kept to a strict minimum since the company uses only natural ingredients, ie existing mine tailings, water and CO2 which is recirculated in a closed loop. With an objective of absolute decarbonization, the company also aims to integrate renewable energies, such as hydroelectricity, in all stages of its process.
Paul Boudreault, administrator of ECO2 Magnesia, explains that this magnesium oxide will be produced from residues not used to date. “Many companies will subsequently be able to make magnesium metal, except that our product will mainly be used in the pharmaceutical, food or heavy industrial sectors. There are many possible applications.”
The project is a concrete example of the potential of the circular economy, the application of the principles of sustainable development and industrial innovation, believes Mr. Boudreault. “Our ecological solution for the decontamination and upgrading of mine tailings is in perfect harmony with the strategic priorities of the magnesium oxide industry, which seeks to reduce its carbon footprint in a global context of CO2 emissions taxation. The circular economy is the economic path of the future and we are delighted to contribute to this green industrial shift.”
The ECO2 Magnesia plant will be located on the western portion of the former Carey mine site. The project will be deployed in modular phases, with the first operational phase of production of 20,000 tonnes of MgO per year scheduled for 2024. Eventually, the commissioning of the full-scale plant is expected to produce approximately 60,000 tonnes of MgO per year. and enable the creation of 100 high-tech jobs, the recycling of more than 480,000 tons of mining residues and the avoidance of 160,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
“We have been working on the file for 10 years and the possibilities are better understood than before by the government authorities, so we would like, by the end of 2022, to obtain all the necessary authorizations to build in 2023 and start operating. in 2024. As there is not necessarily an outlet in Quebec, the product will be entirely exported. However, companies are talking about coming to set up near us in the future, so it's promising,” said Mr. Boudreault in closing.