Work starts at Green Metal Project in Australia

Located at the Green Energy Hub at the Christmas Creek iron ore mine, the $50m project is expected to produce over 1,500 tonnes per annum of ‘green metal’, whereby iron ore is processed into iron using renewable energy and with near zero carbon emissions. First production is anticipated in 2025.

The plant will use green hydrogen produced at Fortescue’s gaseous and liquid hydrogen facility, together with an electric smelting furnace to produce high purity green metal suitable for use in numerous steel plants globally.

In a statement, Dr Andrew Forrest AO, Fortescue executive chairman, said: “Iron and steel are the backbone of our infrastructure, however traditional iron and steel production processes are among the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. By rethinking the entire iron and steel value chain we can produce an entirely new, green industry here in Australia.

“[This] milestone is the culmination of bringing together green sustainable mining, large-scale renewable power and green hydrogen to produce green metal. Right now, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a green supply chain, and Fortescue is wasting no time to seize it.”