Rio Tinto, in collaboration with BHP and BlueScope, has chosen the Kwinana Industrial Area, situated south of Perth, as the site for developing Australia's largest electric smelting furnace (ESF) pilot plant for iron production. According to a statement from Rio Tinto, this initiative leverages the combined expertise of BlueScope, BHP, and Rio Tinto to test innovative technology aimed at utilizing Pilbara iron ore to produce iron without traditional blast furnaces. This joint effort seeks to expedite the decarbonisation process in steelmaking.
The planned pilot plant is expected to yield between 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of molten iron annually. Initially, it will employ natural gas to reduce iron ore into direct reduced iron (DRI). However, the long-term goal is to transition to using hydrogen with lower carbon emissions for the reduction process.
Pending funding approval, the project anticipates moving into feasibility studies by the second quarter of 2025 and aims to reach a final investment decision by 2026. Operations are projected to commence by 2028.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com
The planned pilot plant is expected to yield between 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of molten iron annually. Initially, it will employ natural gas to reduce iron ore into direct reduced iron (DRI). However, the long-term goal is to transition to using hydrogen with lower carbon emissions for the reduction process.
Pending funding approval, the project anticipates moving into feasibility studies by the second quarter of 2025 and aims to reach a final investment decision by 2026. Operations are projected to commence by 2028.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com