Content area
Full Text
Extracting magnesite at QMAG's Yaamba deposit, Queensland, which is to receive further investment to supply feedstock for increased CCM production.
QMAG
Australian magnesia producer, Queensland Magnesia Pty Ltd (QMAG), is to purchase and restart a cement plant to facilitate an additional 100,000 tpa caustic calcined magnesia (CCM) production, expected on stream in 2012-13.
QMAG has signed an agreement to purchase Cement Australia Pty Ltd's mothballed cement facility at Rockhampton, located near to QMAG's existing magnesia operation at Parkhurst, Queensland.
The cement plant was placed on care and maintenance by Cement Australia after production ceased in 2009.
The acquisition covers the land and all plant and equipment, including a rotary kiln, ball mills, bagging plants and storage facilities.
The plant will be recommissioned by QMAG, and will employ about 50 people when fully operational. The total cost of the
acquisition, refurbishment, and recommissioning is expected to be A$20m. ($20.8m.). The deal is expected to be settled by the end of 2011.
The additional capacity from the cement plant will increase QMAG's total magnesia production capacity (all grades) to over 400,000 tpa.
Commenting on the purchase, Alan Roughead, managing director of QMAG, said: "The advantage of the facility not only includes its close proximity to our...