Latrobe Magnesium Limited announced that its Board has selected Samalaju Industrial Park, in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia, as the preferred location for its 100,000tpa project. The Samalaju location has notable strengths comparative to the other two options that were being considered (Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia and Duqm, Oman): Local production of ferrosilicon ­ presence of the major ferrosilicon producers, one of largest reagent requirements. A substantial modern bulk handling port to cater for both imports and export of LMG product the port can move 7 Mtpa of bulk products and is planned to expand to 18 Mtpa.

Large workforce capability ­ substantial industrial employment base already present in Samalaju Industrial Park and nearby. Supporting services ­ significant supporting industries located nearby in Bintulu, population of 300,000, that not only supports Samalaju but the Petronas LNG complex, one of the largest in the world. The most significant benefit to this location is the presence of hydroelectric power generation, meaning Latrobe Magnesium will potentially be able to operate with 100% renewable power, with the process plant operating with net zero emissions immediately after commissioning, as opposed to achieving this goal over a much longer period of time.

Discussions with Ministry officials and authorities in the Sarawak Government, particularly the Bintulu Development Authority, are sufficiently advanced to agree on a 40 hectare site location. Latrobe Magnesium will immediately commence the land application process to secure the land.