LIBERTY Primary Steel has announced significant steps towards the transformation of its iconic Liberty Primary Steel operations at Whyalla, signing contracts worth more than A$600m, representing a significant portion of the overall transformation cost.
In a major move forward, two contracts have been signed for the design of equipment and construction with contracting partners:
- Danieli, for a new, world-leading, state-of-the-art rail and structural heavy section mill
- CISDI Engineering Co, for a Pulverised Coal Injection (PCI) Plant
GFG Alliance Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta said these components would play a key role in securing Whyalla’s long-term future.
“This transformation will vastly improve the operational, financial and environmental performance of the operations, paving the way for Whyalla to become an enticing, global hub for innovative industry,” Mr Gupta said.
City of Whyalla Mayor, Clare McLaughlin, said this was yet another fantastic announcement for the community.
“Most importantly for Whyalla, this project will create thousands of additional construction jobs and several hundred ongoing, with GFG committing to prioritising local skills,” Ms McLaughlin said.
Following the announcement on progressing the Whyalla Transformation Program, Mr Gupta shared plans for a visionary ‘Next-Gen’ mega steel plant for Whyalla, signing an engineering contract with CISDI for the ambitious project.
“Our cutting-edge transformation plans for the existing steel plant are just the beginning of what GFG Alliance has in store for the region,” Mr Gupta said.
“Utilising almost perfect local conditions – our own infrastructure including a deep-sea port; rich local resources; and unrivalled community passion – we now plan to build a new steel plant, one of the world’s largest, right here in Whyalla.
“’Liberty Next-Gen Steel’ will be the largest in the Western world, capable of producing 10 million tonnes per year, with the ability and infrastructure to double capacity in time.”
The project will be based on state-of-the-art technologies and best-in-class environmental measures. It will focus on production of semi-finished steel – slabs, blooms and billets – exported to downstream operations in key strategic and growing markets around the world.
