
David Tognoni, a geological engineer with American Magnesium, LLC, said his company has applied to the Mining and Minerals Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department as well as the Bureau of Land Management for minimal impact mining permits.
Tognoni said high quality dolomite has been found in two small foothills of the Florida Mountains approximately 15 miles southwest of Deming – a find he said could bring 500 jobs to Deming.
Dolomite contains substantial amounts of magnesium oxide, which can be processed into a magnesium metal alloy through a natural gas heating process which Tognoni said would take place in a complex planned for the Peru Mill Industrial Park north of Deming.
The Peru Mill Industrial Park is currently zoned D-Industrial, which allows for the construction of a wide range of manufacturing and industrial applications.
Tognoni said the process also could produce Portland cement because dolomite breaks down into calcium carbonate as well as magnesium.
Tognoni said the BLM permitting process will involve public meetings which could be scheduled in the next two months.