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Show gallons of water were pumped from GSL by mineral harvesting companies ( Hudon, 1998). Sodium chloride ( NaCl, or table salt) is the first salt to be precipitated out as lake brines are concentrated, and it is either sold or is a waste product, depending on the focus of each company ( Trimmer, 1998). Magcorp produces magnesium metal from lake water at its electrolytic plant in Tooele County. Chlorine gas is also produced. The plant has a capacity to produce 40,000 metric tons of magnesium metal at 99.9 percent purity annually and is the fourth largest magnesium plant in the world as of 1996. Magcorp represents 28 percent of primary U. S. magnesium capacity ( Kramer, 1998a). Magcorp sells some potassium- magnesium salts to IMC Kalium Ogden Corp. ( Trimmer, 1998 and U. S. Bureau of Mines, 1996). Morton and Cargill produce only sodium chloride and return bitterns, the concentrated brine that remains after sodium chloride has crystallized, to the lake. IMC Salt is the largest salt producer on the lake and buys salt from IMC Kalium Ogden Corp. IMC produces magnesium and potassium salts, primarily K i Table Company IMC Kalium Ogden Corp. Magnesium Corporation of America Cargill Salt Morton Salt IMC Salt North Shore Limited ( Trimmer, 1998 and Gwynn, 1998b) sulfate of potash ( K2S04) rather than muriate of potash ( KG). Sulfate of potash is a higher value product than KC1. IMC Kalium Ogden Corp. produces minerals such as kainite, schoenite and carnallite in its solar ponds which are then processed to remove magnesium, chloride and sodium ions, leaving potassium sulfate. Also, under certain conditions, potassium chloride is added directly to the process where it undergoes a base conversion into potassium sulfate. A significant portion of the sulfate of potash is exported to other countries. This company retains and sells the magnesium chloride brine, but flushes excess sodium chloride and some of the low- grade magnesium and potassium salts back into the lake. Sodium chloride build- up on evaporation pond floors is a problem for both IMC Kalium Ogden Corp. and Magcorp, although IMC is able to return some waste salts to the lake ( Trimmer, 1998 and Gwynn, 1998b). North Shore Limited produces magnesium chloride brines through solar evaporation. This product is sold for nutritional supplements ( Trimmer, 1998). ( See Table 8.) Production Magnesium and Potassium Salts ( MgCI2, K2SQ4) Magnesium Metal ( Mg), Chlorine Gas CT Salt ( NaCl) Salt ( NaCl) Salt ( NaCl) Magnesium Brines ( MgCQ 122 |
