Port Hedland Iron aims to increasingly harness hydrogen to process Australian iron ore into pellets and briquettes for conversion to steel overseas. This next generation project can create thousands of jobs and new industry in Australia, whilst reducing the emissions intensity of steel making.
The Project is located in the Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area (BSIA), approximately 10 km south-west of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia
The Project will develop a large-scale iron ore processing facility in Western Australia to supply low carbon emissions reduced iron to major international steel manufacturers.
With steel being a critical material for society and steelmaking contributing around 8% of global CO2 emissions and , this Project is a key stepping stone to significantly reducing global CO2 emissions. Steelmaking is an industry sector recognised as hard-to-abate and will play a critical role in the global energy transition.
Western Australia is well placed to capitalise on this opportunity, as it currently accounts for 38% of the global supply of iron ore, has abundant solar and wind resources that can be used to produce green hydrogen, and is considered a low sovereign risk for investment.
The Project includes a pelletiser to form hard, aggregated iron ore pellets that can be safely loaded into the MIDREX shaft furnace. Australian iron ore will be pelletised and then charged into the shaft furnace where to be fired and, in the presence of a reducing gas, reduced (removing the oxygen) to form Direct Reduced Iron (DRI). The DRI is then compressed into briquettes referred to as Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) to enable safe, seafaring transport of the final product. The Project uses tried and tested MIDREX flex technology that enables the use of natural gas and hydrogen in the reductant mix. Initially the Project will use small amounts of hydrogen 1 – 10% eventually moving to 100% hydrogen once available.
Port Hedland Iron (PHI) and the Western Australian Government have agreed on land available to lease at the BSIA to construct and operate the Project. The proposed lease area allows for scale up of the Project and further stages if required.
The site is conveniently located, with easy access to existing iron ore export facilities at the Port of Port Hedland.
The Project has been granted Western Australian State Significance status. It represents a unique opportunity to attract industry, skills and jobs in the critical downstream processing area. Government has long sought to develop this capacity in Australia.
A Joint Venture Management Committee is responsible for overseeing the development of the Project.
As the Project gathers momentum and pending a financial decision to proceed, PHI will become the Corporate Vehicle responsible for delivery of the Project. Further governance structures will be developed and implemented as part of this process.
The Project has been referred to the Western Australian and Federal governments for assessment and environmental approval. Links to the referrals can be found here:
Studies relating to flora and vegetation, fauna, greenhouse gases, air quality, noise and visual impact have been completed to support the environmental assessment process and geotechnical investigations. The documents are in preparation and will be made available on this website and at the government websites too.
The PHI Project has been referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for assessment and approval under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA). As part of the assessment process, the referral supporting document and appendices are published for a 4-week public review period. The supporting document and appendices can be viewed on the EPA’s website for the Project.
The supporting document and appendices can also be downloaded directly via the following links:
The Project Team will continue to liaise with community representatives in Port Hedland.
The Joint Venture plans to establish an office in Port Hedland in 2025 to facilitate on ground, face-to-face community engagement.
The Joint Venture will also seek to partner and support local community groups and events once a financial commitment to the Project is made – expected to be in late 2025.
The Project recognises Native Title held by the Kariyarra People, who are represented by the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation. The Joint Venture welcomes the positive engagement to date and looks forward to continuing work with the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation as the project progresses.
In the spirit of reconciliation Port Hedland Iron acknowledges that this globally significant Project is proposed on the lands of the Kariyarra People. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community.
PHI in WA represented by POSCO WA Pty Ltd
ABN: 57 145 260 108
Level 48/Central Park, 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
PHI was formerly known as Port Hedland Green Steel (PHGS)
© Copyright 2024 PHI – Port Hedland Iron
