Fortescue has commenced work on its Green Metal Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, advancing its goal to create a green metal supply chain, the iron ore miner said in a press release.
Located at the Green Energy Hub at Christmas Creek, the USD 50 mln project aims to produce over 1,500 tons of green iron metal annually, with first production expected in 2025.
Fortescue defines “green metal” as iron ore produced using renewable energy and with near-zero carbon emissions. The plant will utilize green hydrogen from Fortescue’s hydrogen facility, the largest in Australia, alongside an electric smelting furnace to produce high-purity green metal suitable for use in steel plants worldwide.
Fortescue’s green hydrogen plant, partially solar-powered, can produce around 195 tons of hydrogen annually. The site also features a hydrogen liquefaction facility, storage, refueling stations, and Fortescue’s zero-emissions prototypes, including a hydrogen-powered haul truck and a battery-electric haul truck.