Green Critical Minerals starts commissioning of VHD graphite block pilot plant

Green Critical Minerals (ASX: GCM) has commenced commissioning of its very high density (VHD) graphite technology pilot plant in New South Wales.

Strategic equipment selection and procurement over the Christmas period accelerated construction of the plant’s Line 1, marking the transition to wet commissioning which will systematically test each production step to output a series of prototype VHD graphite blocks.

It follows the completion of dry commissioning which tested individual components for correct installation and operation.

Production lines

Line 1 of the pilot plant is capable of producing graphite blocks for customer qualification of heat sink products in the high-performance electronics market; and solar-thermal energy storage blocks for product refinement and research and development activities in the renewables sector.

Line 2 will produce greater quantities of graphite blocks for the heat sink market, as well as blocks for the electrical discharge machining (EDM) market and solar-thermal demonstration plant.

The blocks are reported to be critical components for thermal energy storage (TES) in utility-scale renewable energy projects, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

Ahead of schedule

Managing director Clinton Booth said completion of prototype VHD graphite block samples had been brought forward to January, with first production expected in February.

“Our VHD pilot plant has entered commissioning ahead of schedule, which has significantly accelerated our project timeline,” he said.

“This achievement represents a pivotal milestone in our mission to commercialise VHD graphite technology and paves the way for transformative opportunities in the renewable energy and high-performance electronics sectors.”

Product potential

Mr Booth said he was pleased with the rapid development achieved in the construction phases of the plant.

“The progress we have made is incredibly encouraging and we are excited to demonstrate the potential of our product samples across various industries, where the unique properties can drive innovation and efficiency,” he said.

“With wet commissioning now underway, we look forward to updating the market as we advance towards producing our first samples this month and showcasing the full potential of our VHD graphite technology.”