Karratha magnesium project receives Federal funding boost through Northern Australia Development Program

A $65 million magnesium pharmaceutical pilot project in Karratha has received Federal funding to help the facility’s expansion as it capitalises on a local salt by-product that could result in new industries emerge in the region. EcoMag will take Dampier Salt production wastewater, known as bitterns, and turn it into high-purity magnesium products used in the production of specialty glasses in the aeronautical industry, as well as in paint filler, metal processing, fire retardants and cosmetics. The company was announced as the recipient of a $2 million grant from the Northern Australia Development Program on April 8. Backers of the long-awaited project had hoped to have the $65m processing plant built in 2019, but the Pilbara News reported last September construction would begin the following month. EcoMag chief executive Tony Crimmins told the Pilbara News last September the company had kept working behind the scenes because it saw value in the project. “We’re looking forward to becoming part of the business community of Karratha and hopefully supporting further downstream businesses because the materials that we make could be used to make a lot of other things that Karratha could be unique for,” he said. Mr Crimmins said the company planned to make 600 tonnes of magnesium organics during its first project. The NADP funding is part of the Federal Government’s five-year plan to grow resilient, sustainable economies in Northern Australia under which about $88 million worth of funding went to 30 projects with a focus on industry transformation and business development. Durack MHR Melissa Price said the Pilbara and the Kimberley would greatly benefit from almost $20 million total funding announced for 10 projects across Durack. Other projects included $1,376,665 to help establish Broome’s world-leading Pearl Bone biomedical manufacturing facility and $500,000 to the Cherratta Microgrid Project 20. “Creating greater investment in our local businesses means more jobs for locals and increased liveability for our region,” Ms Price said. “I have long been committed to investing in Durack’s north, giving local communities the boost needed to overcome the unique challenges they face and grow stronger regions for the future. “The Northern Australia Development Program provides grants and a business advisory service to enable Northern Australia based businesses to grow and diversify, like another successful recipient, Broome’s Barramundi Aquaculture project who want to develop a Barramundi nursery.”