Hazer Group Ltd (ASX:HZR) has commenced the joint development of the Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX:MIN) pilot plant which is on track to be commissioned in the September quarter of 2018.
In December 2017, Hazer and Mineral Resources entered a binding cooperation agreement to work together for the purposes of developing and commercialising Hazer’s technology.
The three-stage development pathway proposes stage I being a pilot plant, stage II being a commercial scale plant and stage III being a large-scale commercial plant.
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The Hazer Process enables the effective conversion of natural gas and similar feedstocks into hydrogen and high-quality graphite, using iron ore as a process catalyst.
Under the agreement, Mineral Resources is providing all capital required for a staged development project for graphite production.
Hazer has given Mineral Resources access to the existing Hazer intellectual property portfolio, as well as technical assistance and support.
Pilot plant concept design complete
The initial concept design of the reactor and drawings for the stage I pilot plant have been completed.
Planning and preparation has commenced at Mineral Resources’ Kwinana facilities in Western Australia in anticipation of construction of the pilot plant.