MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is an essential element used in metal production, as well as in the food and agriculture industries. Along the shores of the Great Salt Lake, the largest magnesium producer in North America extracts this mineral directly from the lake. Using a vast system of evaporation ponds, magnesium is concentrated from brine and later processed in a nearby refinery.

During this process, mining waste is disposed of in landfill sites situated between the factory and the lake. In recent years, the operation has faced criticism for inadequate waste management practices, which have led to soil, air and water pollution, posing risks to the lake’s ecosystem and to public health.

This photographic series documents the entire production site, including the evaporation ponds, processing facilities, and waste deposits. Captured from an altitude of approximately 800 meters (2,600 feet), the images reveal the immense scale of the operation, with artificial ponds stretching to the horizon. They serve as a reminder of the changing landscapes that extractive industries have created.

As magnesium is a key component in many products we use every day — from aluminium and cement to fertilisers — it is crucial that its extraction is carried out responsibly, with minimal environmental impact.