Fortescue has marked a milestone in its mission to build a green metal supply chain with the start of works at its Green Metal Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Located at the Green Energy Hub at Christmas Creek, the US$50 million project is expected to produce more than 1,500 metric tonnes per annum of green iron metal, with first production anticipated in 2025.

The plant will use green hydrogen produced at Fortescue’s gaseous and liquid hydrogen facility, the largest of its kind in Australia, together with an electric smelting furnace to produce high purity green metal. This will be suitable for use in almost any steel plant globally. Fortescue defines “green metal” as the end product resulting from processing iron ore into iron, using renewable energy and with near zero carbon emissions. 

“Today is a celebration of innovation, collaboration and stretch targets, and marks a pivotal moment in Fortescue’s journey to build a green metal supply chain,” said Fortescue´s Executive Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest, at a ceremony to mark the start of civil works at the Christmas Creek site. “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,” he added.

Fortescue’s recently commissioned green hydrogen plant can produce around 530 kilograms of hydrogen gas per day, or around 195 tonnes annually. Powered partly by solar during the day, the plant comprises a gaseous hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) to refuel a fleet of 10 fuel cell electric vehicle hydrogen-powered coaches. The plant also contains a hydrogen liquefaction facility, liquid hydrogen storage, and a liquid-hydrogen refuelling station, along with Fortescue’s zero emissions decarbonisation prototypes.

“Hydrogen and fuels made using renewable energy will have a role to play in decarbonising mining, whether it’s in buses, heavy mining equipment such as haul trucks and excavators, or producing green iron,” said Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, Dino Otranto, who attended the ceremony. Western Australia´s Premier, Roger Cook, was also present. He said: “WA is on its way to becoming a global clean energy powerhouse, and a major producer, user and exporter of green iron.”