In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for producing hydrogen and graphitic carbon from a hydrocarbon gas comprising: contacting at a temperature between 600 DEG C and 1000 DEG C the catalyst with the hydrocarbon gas to catalytically convert at least a portion of the hydrocarbon gas to hydrogen and graphitic carbon, wherein the catalyst is a low grade iron oxide. Also provided is a method for the beneficiation of catalytic metal containing ore, the method comprising contacting at a temperature between 600 DEG C and 1000 DEG C the catalytic metal containing ore with a hydrocarbon gas to form a carbon-coated metal species.