Whyalla Steelworks lands key rail contract
0 min read > 2nd March, 2022
Whyalla’s iconic steelworks has been awarded a key contract to supply rail products for the Inland Rail project. Under the contract,…
The Present: Optimisation and Transition
While there is an exciting future ahead, the integrated Primary Steel and Mining team is working hard to optimise the current operations – implementing cost reductions, and efficiency improvements.
We recently announced a debt restructuring agreement for LIBERTY Primary Metals Australia which provides the clarity and stability for Whyalla’s integrated steelworks and mining operation.
Read moreContinuous improvement stories
GFG welcomes South Australian Government funding guidelines for $50 million grant
0 min read > 18th February, 2022
GFG Alliance has welcomed the South Australian government’s announcement on funding guidelines to co-finance operational efficiency projects at the Whyalla Integrated…
Mould bottom measuring device
0 min read > 21st January, 2022
The Whyalla Steelworks has now implemented 100 initiatives in its continuous improvement (CI) program – with a new mould bottom measuring…
The Future: Whyalla GREENSTEEL Transformation
The innovative transformation program, updated in 2020, will see the current operations at the iconic Whyalla Steelworks evolve into a world leading ‘GREENSTEEL’ facility.
New facilities will help shape Whyalla into an environmentally friendly and globally competitive facility. The transition and use of magnetite iron-ore opens up the door-way to use low carbon steelmaking technologies.
The updated Whyalla Transformation Plan includes a Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) facility, and a new Electric Arc Furnace in addition to the heavy-section combination Rolling Mill previously announced to serve Australia’s rail, mining and infrastructure projects with domestic GREENSTEEL.
The new DRI plant will be fed by Natural Gas, in time transitioning to green hydrogen produced from GFG’s own renewable energy projects including Cultana – one of Australia’s largest solar farms being built in Whyalla.
Combined, these new facilities will produce advanced steel long products for the Australian construction, critical infrastructure and mining industries for generations to come. It will also position Whyalla to become a world-leading, carbon-neutral steel producer and contribute to GFG Alliance’s carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30) ambitions.
WATCH the video below and take a look at our Transformation Plans with a fly-through view of the Electric Arc Furnace and Rolling Mill
Transformation stories
Whyalla’s GREENSTEEL journey starts with magnetite
0 min read > 7th April, 2022
GFG Alliance has taken a significant step in its GREENSTEEL transformation journey in Whyalla with the start of its magnetite high-quality…
Debt refinance agreement reached
0 min read > 11th October, 2021
GFG Alliance has announced a debt restructuring agreement for LIBERTY Primary Metals Australia which provides the clarity and stability for Whyalla’s…
A hydrogen future
0 min read > 1st October, 2020
Hydrogen and steel. It’s a marriage made in heaven and provides the best catalyst for a carbon-free future, writes our Executive…
This exciting plan will not only transform the Whyalla business into an internationally-competitive steel manufacturer, it will be our first primary steel plant to be transformed to GREENSTEEL, helping fulfil our ambition to become the world’s largest carbon-neutral steel producer by 2030.
Sanjeev Gupta, Executive Chairman, GFG Alliance
The Past: Our history
The iconic Whyalla Steelworks has been the economic backbone of the region.
The almost exclusively residential workforce are passionate about their community and committed to the long-term viability of the Steelworks.
From its origins as a shipyard to current operations, the Whyalla Steelworks has a proud and rich history.
Check out the timeline below of some of our milestones.
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First blast furnace
The first blast furnace was blown in at Whyalla, which in 1941 had a population of 5,000
HMAS Whyalla
The HMAS Whyalla was launched.
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Launch of Lake Illawarra
This archival video shows the launch of Lake Illawarra from the Whyalla shipyards, along with aerial footage of Whyalla and Iron Monarch.
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Official opening
The Whyalla Steelworks was officially opened. Whyalla’s population in 1965 was 20,000.
Saltbush to Steel
Take a look at Whyalla’s integrated steelworks operations from the mid 1960s in this mini-documentary (13.40 mins)
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Last ship
The last ship to be launched from the Whyalla shipyards was the Iron Curtis, which was handed to owners. The population of Whyalla in 1978 was 33,832.
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Whyalla Maritime Museum
The HMAS Whyalla, which the Whyalla Council had purchased from owners in Victoria, found a new life as an inland museum. The Whyalla Maritime Museum opened in October 1988.
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OneSteel
The Whyalla Steelworks was spun out by BHP and renamed OneSteel.
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Voluntary Administration
The company which owned the Whyalla Steelworks entered into voluntary administration.
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Transformation
GFG Alliance released the first version of the Whyalla Transformation Plan. Whyalla’s population in 2018 was 21,828.
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Whyalla GREENSTEEL Transformation
An updated Transformation Plan is released outlining the transformation of the Whyalla Steelworks to a world-leading GREENSTEEL facility.