【Ferro-alloys.com】：Latrobe Magnesium has completed one-third of construction at its Stage 1 Demonstration Plant in Victoria, as it advances installation and commissioning activities ahead of first magnesium metal production in the second half of 2026.

The company said overall construction of Phase 1B had reached 33 per cent, with significant structural, mechanical and piping (SMP) milestones achieved across the briquetting and reduction furnace areas.

Key works completed include the reduction furnace platform, supplementary cementitious material (SCM) screw conveyor, quicklime system and utility piping installation. Ductwork and final tie-ins are continuing as the project progresses towards commissioning.

Electrical and instrumentation installation is also advancing across both work areas. Reduction furnace main control panels and local junction boxes have been installed, while the briquetting screw feeder has been successfully powered and tested. Cable terminations and instrument cabling are continuing.

Latrobe Magnesium reported a strong safety performance during Phase 1B, with weekly health, safety and environment (HSE) compliance averaging above 97 per cent over the past month and zero reportable incidents recorded.

Procurement has continued to support construction, with stainless steel piping, argon supply components, briquetting ductwork, electrical materials and structural steel delivered or due to arrive shortly. The company said no procurement issues were expected to affect the project schedule.

The reduction furnace remains on the project’s critical path, with air aspiration piping scheduled for completion in early July and a second prototype furnace test planned for mid-July to validate the retort support design.

Latrobe Magnesium has also re-engaged its specialist automation supplier for the reduction furnace shuttle system following a site inspection that identified no issues with stored equipment.

Programming of the briquetting system has commenced with Rockwell Automation, with the work expected to take four to five weeks before initial testing and on-site commissioning can begin.

• [Editor:Alakay]