Global green steelmaking opportunity mapped for WA

A new report released by the Cook Government has mapped the pathways for WA to join the global green steelmaking value chain. 

Led by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), WA’s green steel opportunity report maps five ways WA iron ore can be used to reduce emissions from steelmaking.

The report considers the size and scale of the capital requirements and infrastructure needed for these pathways.

Pathways include green iron ore mining, green pellets, hot briquetted iron (HBI) from green pellets using fossil fuels, iron making — HBI from green pellets using renewable hydrogen and producing green steel in WA.

While traditional mining uses diesel, burner fuel and gas-fired power, these pathways use green hydrogen and solar and wind power.

Premier Roger Cook said the green steel chain will expand the state’s economy.

“Our state’s abundant renewable energy resources alongside our world-leading iron ore industry puts WA front and centre in the global push towards green steel,” he said.

“Moving up the steel value chain will diversify our economy and create more local jobs right across the state.

“This report delivers on an important election commitment and will help position WA as an investment destination for low-emissions steel opportunities.”

As green hydrogen technology continues to emerge and more renewable energy infrastructure is established, the report highlights the state’s access to natural gas and renewable energy resources is a key factor to supporting emissions reductions in steelmaking.

A fully green steel solution would produce almost no emissions along the value chain.