Name of the Project
Electric smelting furnace (ESF) pilot plant.

Location
Kwinana Industrial Area, south of Perth, Australia.

Project Owner/s
NeoSmelt, a collaboration between steelmaker BlueScope, and iron-ore producers BHP and Rio Tinto. Australian petroleum exploration company Woodside Energy will join the consortium as an equal equity participant and energy supplier, subject to the finalising of commercial arrangements. The project remains open for collaboration with other parties that complement its objectives.

Project Description
The pilot plant aims to prove Pilbara iron-ore can be used to produce lower-carbon emissions molten iron using direct reduced iron (DRI)-ESF technology.

The pilot plant will produce 30 000 t/y to 40 000 t/y of molten iron. 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.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Subject to funding, the project expects a decision to enter feasibility studies in the second quarter of 2025 and is targeting a final investment decision for the pilot plant in 2026, with operations expected to start in 2028.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Not disclosed.

Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto, Rachel Pupazzoni, cell +61 438 875 469 or email rachel.pupazzoni@riotinto.com.
BlueScope, Michael Reay, cell +61 437 862 472 or email michael.reay@bluescope.com.
BHP, Jimmy Clothier, cell +61 413 391 031 or email jimmy.clothier@bhp.com.
Woodside Energy, Christine Forster, cell +61 484 112 469 or email christine.forster@woodside.com.