This study examines the production of MgCl(2) from raw chrysotile tailings. The tailings were exposed to a dry carbochlorination reaction in a non-rotating oven. The effects of temperature, gas flow rate and time on the recovery of various cations were examined. Our results show that temperature is the determining factor for both the recovery of Mg (85%) and for limiting impurities. Reaction time can also be reduced to 30 min without affecting MgCl(2) recovery. Filtration trials during the carbochlorination reaction allow us to conclude that the main product is MgCl(2). (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.