Steelmaking has resumed at the Whyalla Steelworks after an expert and exceptional GFG Alliance team was able to restart the blast furnace.
The blast furnace restart operation began after an unexpected delay following a planned routine maintenance shut down in March.
A series of recent breakthroughs allowed workers in power and services, maintenance, and steelmaking divisions to return to their regular shift rosters earlier this week.
“Returning the blast furnace to normal operation was a difficult task with many setbacks and a return to steelmaking is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our skilled and expert team. To them I say thank you,” GFG Alliance Chairman Sanjeev Gupta said.
“We can now get on with producing high quality steel in Whyalla which supports our customers, workers and their families along with the rest of the Whyalla and South Australian community.”
“While we recovered the blast furnace we also began designing and working out how to best use a special purpose oxygen and natural gas lancing system which will give us more control over restarts.”
That technology is expected to be available for use in Whyalla later in the year.
“Our focus remains the future of Whyalla. We are working towards our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030, aligning the timelines for the delivery of our Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) with a Direct Reduced Iron Plant (DRI) and the expected availability of the associated operating requirements such as natural gas and hydrogen required to use our high-grade magnetite,” Sanjeev said.
ENDS
About GFG Alliance:
GFG Alliance is a collection of global businesses and investments owned by Sanjeev Gupta and his family. The Alliance is structured into three core industrial pillars; LIBERTY Steel Group, ALVANCE Aluminium Group and SIMEC Energy Group, independent of each other yet united through shared values and a purpose to create a sustainable future for industry and society. GFG Alliance employs 35,000 people, across 10 countries and has revenues of USD $20bn. GFG Alliance is a leader in sustainable industry with a mission to become Carbon Neutral by 2030 (CN30).
