Name of the Project
Vanderbijlpark facility blast furnace conversion project.

Location
Gauteng, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA).

Project Description
AMSA plans to convert one of its three blast furnaces into an electric arc furnace (EAF) within the next four years. The company’s blast furnaces are the single-biggest cause of the company’s carbon emissions, owing to their using coking coal.

The newly converted EAF will be fed by six direct reduced iron (DRI) kilns on site to supplement scrap feed.

The EAF will form a key part of AMSA’s decarbonisation plans up to 2030, and will be supported by a new 200 MW on-site solar photovoltaic power plant.

With the construction of the EAF and the solar PV plant, AMSA is aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by up to 25% by 2030.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction of the solar plant is expected to start in 2024. AMSA plans to have the EAF in operation by the latter part of 2028.

Latest Developments
The technical concept and scope report for the EAF conversion have been approved.
AMSA must still submit the environmental-impact assessment for the project, which will be done during 2024.

In addition, approval of the increased notified maximum demand from State-owned electricity provider Eskom also needs to be obtained.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
AMSA, tel +27 16 889 9111.