Australia’s two largest iron ore producers and its biggest steelmaker have partnered to accelerate the decarbonisation of steelmaking by agreeing to jointly investigate the development of the country’s first ironmaking Electric Smelting Furnace (ESF) pilot plant, as per a press release from Rio Tinto.
Under a new framework agreement, Rio Tinto, BHP and BlueScope will consolidate the work each party has completed to date, leveraging both BHP’s and Rio Tinto’s deep knowledge of Pilbara iron ores with BlueScope’s unique operating experience in ESF technology. If successful, it could help open a potential pathway to near-zero greenhouse gas emission-intensity operations for steelmakers that rely on Australian iron ore to meet global steel demand.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott said: "This partnership will benefit from Rio Tinto’s and BHP’s unrivalled experience of Pilbara ores as well as the technical steelmaking capability and unique operating knowledge of BlueScope. We are excited to add this partnership to the suite of projects we have underway with our customers and suppliers to find better ways to accelerate their efforts to meet their decarbonisation targets.”
Incoming BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) Asset President Tim Day said: “We are thrilled to partner with Rio Tinto and BlueScope to progress what we see as a potential breakthrough in reducing carbon emissions from steel production."
BlueScope Chief Executive Australia Tania Archibald said: “We have a clear vision for BlueScope in Australia as a vibrant, modern and sustainable manufacturer with a clear role to play in enabling Australia’s energy transition…The development of ESF technology is key to unlocking Australia’s unique advantages in this decarbonisation journey – and, more importantly, has the potential for wider adaptation across the global steel industry. We believe that this collaboration where we can contribute BlueScope’s unique experience in operating an ESF will be key to cracking the code for Pilbara ores in low emission-intensity ironmaking.”
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished
