Metso Technology Produces Molten Iron in Australia for the First Time
Fortescue Metals' Green Metal project has successfully produced molten iron for the first time using Metso's DRI smelting furnace technology. The initiative aims to develop a pathway for green steel production.
The Fortescue Christmas Creek Green Metal project in Pilbara, Western Australia, has reached a significant milestone with the first-ever production of molten iron utilizing Metso's DRI smelting furnace technology. This development is a key step towards producing green steel from local iron ore using low-emission smelting processes.
Metso was responsible for the design and technology supply of the project's core smelting solution, including an electric Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) smelting furnace. The technology is being tested to assess its potential for utilizing Pilbara's iron ore fines in more sustainable iron manufacturing. Installation of Metso's equipment began in September 2025.
Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue Metals, called the achievement a significant milestone for their Green Metal project and a step towards commercial-scale green metal production in Australia. He emphasized the ambition to create more value from iron ore domestically.
Metso's DRI smelting furnace technology offers a route to produce high-quality iron products suitable for steelmaking with lower emissions than traditional blast furnace processes. The technology is designed to leverage extensive iron ore resources that might have previously been considered unsuitable for DRI-based steelmaking due to higher gangue content.