Plant conversion extends life of Whyalla steelworks

A $400 million conversion program at OneSteel’s Whyalla steelworks should extend the life of the operations to 2027, South Australian Deputy Premier Kevin Foley says.

In Whyalla on Tuesday to mark the completion of Project Magnet, he said the plant was a key component of the future of the Spencer Gulf region.

“The people of Whyalla can look toward a strong and prosperous future confident that their jobs are safe and that there will be jobs, especially more highly skilled ones, for their children,” he said.

OneSteel has converted the Whyalla Steelworks to use magnetite ore as its feedstock rather than the previously used hematite ore.

The change has helped the company boost steel exports, cut operating costs and reduce the amount of dust produced, a significant issue for Whyalla residents for many years.

With magnetite ore delivered from the mine as a wet slurry and then turned into pellets, the production process results in less dust emitted.

OneSteel managing director Geoff Plummer said the Whyalla steelworks were important to the continued growth of the company.

“Whyalla has had a long relationship with steel production and it is very satisfying to be able to build on that relationship and extend it into increased mining activity,” he said.