The Hazelwood North Demonstration Plant applies Latrobe's patented hydrometallurgical and thermal-reduction flowsheet to brown-coal fly ash. Phase 1A produced about 20 tonnes of saleable magnesium oxide during a continuous two-week campaign in early 2026, validating the hydromet section and generating the plant's first commercial sale. The plant then entered a planned shutdown for Phase 1B installation of briquetting and reduction-furnace systems. The initial horizontal-retort configuration targets 500 tpa of magnesium metal, with a later vertical-retort expansion intended to add about 600 tpa. At 30 June 2026 Phase 1B construction was 33% complete and first metal remained targeted for H2 2026.
- Country
- Australia
- Stage
- Construction