Australia’s two largest iron-ore miners and its biggest steelmaker have selected the Kwinana Industrial Area, south of Perth, as the location to develop Australia’s largest ironmaking electric smelting furnace (ESF) pilot plant.
The groundbreaking project combines the expertise of BlueScope (Melbourne, Australia; www.bluescope.com), BHP (Melbourne, Australia; www.bhp.com) and Rio Tinto (London, U.K.; www.riotinto.com) to test technology to enable the use of Pilbara iron ore to produce iron without the need for traditional blast furnaces, as the companies come together to try to accelerate the decarbonization of steelmaking.
The industry leaders formed the NeoSmelt collaboration in February, combining BHP and Rio Tinto’s deep knowledge of Pilbara iron ore, with BlueScope’s unique operating experience in ESF technology.
The NeoSmelt parties also announce Woodside Energy will join the consortium as an equal equity participant and energy supplier2, subject to finalising commercial arrangements.
The pilot plant aims to prove Pilbara iron ore can be used to produce lower-carbon3 emissions molten iron using direct reduced iron (DRI)-ESF technology.
The pilot plant would produce 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of molten iron a year. It will initially use natural gas to reduce iron ore to DRI, but once operational, the project aims to use lower-carbon emissions hydrogen to reduce iron ore.
If successful, NeoSmelt has the potential to open a pathway to near-zero emissions4 steelmaking using Pilbara iron ore and ensure the longevity of Australia’s iron ore industry.
The NeoSmelt parties assessed a number of pilot plant locations in Australia before selecting the Kwinana Industrial Area, utilizing its access to transport logistics and existing infrastructure, coupled with support from a A$75 million contribution from the Western Australian Government.
Subject to funding, the project anticipates a decision to enter feasibility studies in Q2 2025 and is targeting final investment decision (FID) for the pilot plant in 2026, with operations expected to begin in 2028.
The NeoSmelt project remains open for collaboration with other parties that complement its objectives.
BlueScope Chief Executive Australia, Tania Archibald said: “Today marks a significant milestone in what is truly a unique and transformative project to help decarbonize the steel industry. The progress made during the pre-feasibility stage is a testament to the collaboration of all parties involved.
“BlueScope’s role as Project Manager leverages our deep iron and steelmaking experience at the Port Kembla Steelworks and our unique capability as the operator of the world’s only electric smelting furnace processing DRI in New Zealand.”
BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) Asset President, Tim Day said: “We’re thrilled to be well on our way to bringing this cutting-edge technology to life right here in Western Australia.
“A successful pilot plant of this scale would be a huge achievement as we work with our partners, here and around the world, to help fast-track near-zero emission pathways for steelmakers using Pilbara ores.
“These are the Pilbara ores that power this nation’s economy, so getting it right would be a major step forward in setting up WA and Australia to be an important part of a low greenhouse gas emission future.”
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, Simon Trott said: “We must find better ways to produce the most commonly used metal in the world, while meeting the needs of our planet and our climate objectives.
“We are excited to announce the location for Australia’s largest ironmaking ESF pilot plant is in Western Australia. It’s just one of the ways we’re working with our peers to develop the technology needed to reduce the carbon intensity of iron and steelmaking.
“The NeoSmelt pilot plant builds on the suite of projects Rio Tinto has underway with our customers and suppliers to find better ways to accelerate their efforts to meet their decarbonization targets.”
Woodside Energy’s Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Australia, Liz Westcott said: “Woodside is excited that it will join the NeoSmelt project as an equal equity participant and energy supplier alongside BlueScope, BHP and Rio Tinto, subject to finalising commercial arrangements.
“Natural gas and hydrogen may enable emissions reductions in steelmaking, and we are proud to bring to the NeoSmelt project our expertise, experience and know-how as a global supplier of energy.