Major iron ore miners, Rio Tinto and BHP, as well as steel companies such as BlueScope have thrown their weight behind a new technology, which promises to deliver significant reductions in steelmaking emissions, while ensuring the use of existing raw materials and steelmaking infrastructure and value chains. With a view to facilitating the use of generally below-DR grade iron ore for production of DRI and its subsequent melting and refinement, the electric smelting furnace (ESF) retains the potential to lower steelmaking emissions, although adoption of renewable electricity is a must.
