Process for magnesium metal extraction from mineral sources

A magnesium extractor apparatus comprising:

• (a) a reduction chamber configured to receive a pellet cartridge containing magnesium-bearing pellets;
• (b) a condenser-separator in pneumatic communication with the reduction chamber, the condenser-separator comprising:
• (i) a separator portion containing one or more removable porous separator screens configured to pass magnesium vapor while retaining solid particulates;
• and
• (ii) a condenser-receiver portion containing a removable cylindrical receiver upon which the magnesium vapor condenses to form metallic magnesium crowns;
• (c) a removable platform slidably mounted on at least one rail and configured to move between a withdrawn position outside an interior space of the reduction chamber and an inserted position within the interior space of the reduction chamber, the removable platform configured to support each of the pellet cartridge in the reduction chamber, the one or more separator screens in the separator portion, and the cylindrical receiver in the condenser-receiver portion;
• (d) a cooling system in thermal communication with the condenser-separator;
• and
• (e) a vacuum pump configured to supply vacuum to each of the reduction chamber, the separator portion, and the condenser-receiver portion during operation.