【Ferro-alloys.com】The Western Australian government will investigate the viability of sustainably processing iron-ore to green steel, or the inputs necessary to create green steel.

The state government has committed A$1-million to the investigation, with the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia having appointed lead adviser GHD Group, in partnership with ACIL Allen, to investigate the iron ore-to-steel value chain. 

Initial works will identify opportunities and barriers for Western Australia to support the global steel industry's green ambitions. 

Further work will then examine regional infrastructure needs, market dynamics and policies needed to ensure the State has a comprehensive understanding on creating green steel. 

“As the world's largest supplier of iron-ore, Western Australia has a significant role to play in understanding the viability of green steel. The lead time for Western Australia to capture this emerging opportunity means there is a need to start planning now,” said Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston.

“By investigating these opportunities, we are taking action to reduce climate-related risks, while also positioning the state as a preferred supplier to global markets and a sought after destination for investment.”

With the steel industry generating between 7% and 9% of global carbon emissions, there is a significant focus on the development of green steel to reduce this, said Johnston.

Traditionally, coal is used in the steel making process as both an energy source and as a reducing agent to extract iron. Green steel production will require renewable energy and hydrogen, or an alternative reducing agent, to avoid producing carbon dioxide. 

The government’s investment in the process follows moves by iron-ore giants BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals to pursue green steel initiatives.

Fortescue is conducting trials to use renewable energy in the Pilbara to convert iron-ore to green iron at low temperatures, without coal, while major BHP has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese steel producer JFE Steel to jointly study technologies and pathways capable of making material reductions to greenhouse gas emissions from the integrated steelmaking process.

BHP will invest up to $15-million over this five-year partnership.

Rio Tinto and steel producer Blue Scope are also exploring low-carbon steelmaking pathways using Pilbara iron-ores, including the use of clean hydrogen to replace coking coal at BlueScope’s Port Kembla Steelworks. 

• [Editor:zhaozihao]