Over 130 years, mining activity in the region left many piles of waste or spent tailings. These piles contain a significant amount of residual magnesium. The combined total gross value for magnesium alone in the Chaudière-Appalaches and Estrie regions is estimated at $400 billion, excluding secondary metals (nickel, chromium, cobalt) and silica (amorphous).
​(Source: Annex BAPE, brief of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Thetford)