NLC India Ltd and Indian state miner National Mineral Development Corp. Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia's Environmental Clean Technologies Ltd. to collaborate in the research and development of a low-emissions steelmaking process, according to a May 30 news release.
The deal, which is said to be the largest joint research and development collaboration between India and Australia, aims to develop an integrated Coldry-Matmor pilot plant in India based on proprietary technologies developed by Environmental Clean Technologies.
Under the agreement, the consortium will undertake the next stage of development for the Coldry and Matmor technologies. Coldry is a zero-emissions, lignite upgrading technology that is capable of producing a solid fuel for use in power generation, while Matmor is a lignite-based primary ironmaking technology.
The project will be undertaken in two phases; the first is a A$35 million research and development phase to be funded by NLC and National Mineral Development, which will subsequently build a pilot plant for the proprietary technologies.
The second phase will involve commercial expansion for a A$300 million steelmaking facility with a capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum.
