Good points Pago,As it clearly states on the DPI's own web...

Good points Pago,

As it clearly states on the DPI's own web site:

What is the ALDP?
The Advanced Lignite Demonstration Program is a $90 million competitive, merit-based grant program targeting PRE-COMMERCIAL demonstration of fit-for-purpose "coal upgrading" processes for raw lignite (including materials handling).

Eligibility

1. What types of projects are eligible?
The technologies being demonstrated under this program must be at a PRE-COMMERCIAL stage of development and an end to end process must be developed for the demonstration. Proposals must identify the product stream which is being targeted and present a plausible pathway to market.

2. What types of projects are not eligible?
•Projects utilising technologies that have not yet completed the R&D and pilot scale demonstration phases of technology development.
•Projects utilising technologies which are already CONSIDERED COMMERCIAL having process and performance guarantees on Victorian lignite.
•Projects which are not of direct relevance to Victorian lignite.
•Projects that are of a scale that would reasonably be considered commercial

All the above says they have to be pre-commercial to be eligible which going by Pago's research they aren't. Below is the only way I could find that may allow these company's to get ALDP funding. I guess below slaps in the face the above points really as far as international companies are concerned.

10. Are technologies that have been demonstrated internationally or on coals other than Latrobe Valley lignite eligible?
Yes. The program acknowledges that due to its unique characteristics, there may be technical risk in demonstrating utilisation of Latrobe Valley lignite in a process for the first time. It will be up to the applicant to
demonstrate that technical risk exists and that a demonstration plant not a commercial plant is required to eliminate this risk.

At the end of the day it's all rumors and pot stirring until the DPI make there official announcement in September some time. Until then its going to be bumpy.