Green Critical Minerals (ASX:GCM) has completed the first construction phase at its in-development VHD Technology pilot plant in New South Wales, with initial prototype graphite blocks now expected as early as this month.

The mineral explorer was originally planning to have its new plant ready to run before the middle of the year; first production is now anticipated for February 2025.

The pilot plant, which Green Critical Minerals is building at a recently secured industrial facility in New South Wales, will support the parallel development of heat sinks and solar-thermal blocks. Smaller VHD blocks are a top priority – they are designed for high-performance computers for gaming and processing.

Even better for investors, GCM already has the key ingredients for the blocks on-site which means demonstration blocks can be shipped and tested immediately.

Green Critical Minerals managing director Clinton Booth said the company is “delighted” to be sharing such good news so early in the new year – especially because it now “significantly accelerates” the project’s timeline.

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

Once the plant is fully commissioned, GCM’s objective will turn towards lab-scale sample production in Q3 FY25. Commercialisation should followed in Q1 FY2026.

All this has (unsurprisingly considering it’s all good news) shifted Green Critical Minerals share prices substantially higher. At 11.20am Sydney time, the explorer had seen a 17.8% bump.

For those buying into the New South Wales miner, shares cost 1.7 cents.

Join the discussion. See what HotCopper users are saying about Green Critical Minerals and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.