Green steel push unifies rivals Rio, BHP and BlueScope

According to The Australian Financial Review, BHP, Rio Tinto and BlueScope have joined an Australian-first collaboration aimed at fast-tracking the path to nearly carbon-free production by steel makers relying on Australia’s No.1 export, iron ore.
Under the initiative, the three companies aim to develop a pilot plant that will prove production of molten iron from West Australian ores is feasible using renewable power in direct reduced iron process technology, and in doing so, future-proof the Pilbara.
The project aims to head off the risk that iron ore from the Pilbara, which is lower grade than ores suitable for other, more advanced, green iron and steel technologies become increasingly discounted or face declining demand as importers strive to meet net zero emissions targets.
Several locations across Australia will be assessed for the proposed plant, including BlueScope’s Port Kembla steel mill, where the companies announced the initiative on Friday. Pre-feasibility work should be completed by the year-end, and the pilot plant – expected to cost hundreds of millions – could come into operation as early as 2027, if approved.

https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/green-steel-push-unifies-rivals-rio-bhp-and-bluescope-20240208-p5f3k8