Whyalla Steelworks

The Whyalla Steelworks is a fully integrated steelworks and the only manufacturer of rail in Australia. Iron ore is mined in the Middleback Range to feed the steelworks, resulting in the distribution of finished steel products of over 90 different grades. It occupies a 1,000 ha site on the shore of False Bay, Spencer Gulf and is the largest employer in Whyalla, South Australia.

The Whyalla Steelworks circa 2009

Approximately 1.2 million tonnes of raw steel is produced in the steelworks each year, with about 65% of that transferred by rail to Arrium's Market Mills as billets for further processing. The balance of the steel is then converted to finished products at the Whyalla Rolling Mill. These products service the construction and rail transport industries.

Dust emissions from the steelworks became a controversial topic in 2005 after legislation was rewritten to nullify a legal battle between OneSteel and the South Australian Environmental Protection Agency. The steelworks is open to the public for guided tours which can be booked at the Whyalla Visitors Centre.[1]

History

Iron ore mining

The Whyalla Steelworks receives iron ore mined at various sites along the Middleback Range. Iron ore mining in this region dates back to at least 1900. Prior to the steelworks' construction, the ore was shipped from Whyalla (then known as Hummock Hill) to Port Pirie for use as a flux in smelters.[2] It was later supplied to steel-making facilities at Port Kembla, New South Wales. The first shipment of iron ore by sea for Port Pirie departed Whyalla in 1903. The first mines to be developed were Iron Knob and Iron Monarch, with later developments including Iron Baron, Iron Knight, Iron Princess, Iron Chieftain and Iron Duke. The mines were developed by the Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP), which went on to develop the steelworks and shipyards.

Steelworks and shipyards

HMAS Whyalla was built at the BHP shipyards and now sits in dry-dock adjacent to the Whyalla Visitors Centre

The steelworks first established a plant for the production of pig-iron for sale or use at other BHP plants. The announcement was made in 1937 and South Australian legislation was prepared to facilitate the development. Water security for the project was also guaranteed by the development of the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline.[2] The Whyalla Steelworks was opened in May 1941 with the first blast furnace 'blown in'. A shipyard was also constructed, designed to aid the British Commonwealth's efforts in World War II. After the war, the steelworks and shipyards continued to produce a range of products including rail track and maritime vessels for commercial use.

In the 1960s, a BOS rolling mills and coke ovens were constructed, enabling the Whyalla plant to become a fully integrated steelworks.

Various records were set and milestone met by the Whyalla shipyards. In 1947, Australia's largest domestically built vessel, the bulk carrier Iron Yampi, was launched. It was built for BHP Shipping to transport iron ore from Yampi Sound in Western Australia.[3] In 1965, the honor was claimed again, when the Darling River was launched.[4] With the launch of the tanker Arthur Phillip in 1974, the Whyalla shipyard passed a major milestone, having produced over one million tonnes of merchant vessels in total.[5] The shipyard also produced the world's first gas turbine-electric powered ship, the Seaway Prince in 1975.[6] BHP's shipyards continued to operate until 1978. Many of the vessels were produced for the use of BHP Shipping. The eventual closure of the shipyards came as a major blow to the town of Whyalla and plunged it into an economic recession, with 1,800 workers made redundant.[7]

In 1982, the steelworks employed 5,000 people. In 2011, the steelworks employed 1,600 people, down from a peak of around 6,000.[7] The steelworks is owned by Liberty House Group, who purchased Arrium in September 2017.[8] Arrium was previously known as OneSteel, and was spun off from BHP in 2000.

Current operations

The iron-making department incorporates the blast furnace, coke ovens and the power and services departments of the Whyalla steelworks. Molten iron is supplied from here to the BOS for manufacture into steel. Coke is produced on site from coal supplied to the plant from Newcastle or Port Kembla and ships are loaded with iron ore for shipment from Whyalla's port. Finished steel products are distributed by sea, road and rail.

In 2020, the slip at the former shipyard was recommissioned as a facility to decommission, scrap and recycle (DSR) large ships. It was reported to be the only facility in Australia capable of handling ships over 200 m (660 ft). The first ship through the facility was the former HMAS Success. The initial deconstruction work was done by McMahon Services at Port Pirie before the hull was moved across Spencer Gulf to Whyalla.[9]

Steelworks development

• Blast Furnace No.1 was built between 1938 and 1941, blown in 1941, relined in 1965, closed in 1981 and demolished 1997.
• Blast Furnace No.2 was built in 1965, relined 1981 and again in 2004.
• The Boilerhouse was built in 1941 with 3 boilers. Boiler No.4 was added in 1950 and Nos. 5 and 6 in the late 1960s. Only Nos. 5 and 6 remain in full-time operation, with No.4 on standby.
• The Salt Water Pump House was built in 1941 with 3 salt water pumps with another 3 pumps added later. Only 5 remain, with No.1 now serving as a backup diesel pump.
• The Coke Ovens were built in the 1960s with 2 batteries. Another battery was added in the 1980s.
• A 1.5 GL reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant was commissioned in December 2011.

Vessels built at Whyalla shipyards

MV Lake Illawarra was sunk after colliding with the Tasman Bridge in 1975. 5 motorists' lives were lost

HMAS Pirie was launched in Whyalla in 1941

HMAS Kalgoorlie was launched in Whyalla in 1941

Plate from the vessel P.J.Adams on display at the SA Maritime Museum

Name	Type	Owner	DWT	Launched
HMAS Gawler	Corvette	Royal Australian Navy	690	1941
HMAS Kalgoorlie	Corvette	Royal Australian Navy	690	1941
HMAS Pirie	Corvette	Royal Australian Navy	690	1941
HMAS Whyalla	Corvette	Royal Australian Navy	690	1941
Iron Monarch	Ore Carrier	BHP Shipping	8160	1942
Iron Duke II	Ore Carrier	BHP Shipping	7740	1943
River Glenelg	Freighter	Australian National Line	9260	1943
River Derwent	Freighter	Australian National Line	9320	1944
River Murchison	Freighter	Australian National Line	9250	1944
River Murray	Freighter	Australian National Line	9380	1945
River Murrumbidgee	Freighter	Australian National Line	9290	1945
Dandenong	Freighter	Australian National Line	3040	1946
Daylesford	Freighter	Australian National Line	3030	1946
Delamere	Freighter	State Shipping Service	3010	1946
Barrigun	Freighter	Australian National Line	6350	1947
Iron Yampi	Bulk Carrier	BHP Shipping	13100	1947
Balarr	Freighter	Howard Smith Industries	6350	1948
Balook	Freighter	Australian National Line	6350	1949
Iron Kimberley	Bulk Carrier	BHP Shipping	12760	1949
Iron Derby	Bulk Carrier	BHP Shipping	11790	1950
Baroota	Freighter	Adelaide Steamship Company	6350	1951
Iron Wyndham	Bulk Carrier	BHP Shipping	13070	1952
Iron Whyalla	Bulk Carrier	BHP Shipping	10800	1953
Yanderra	Collier	Australian National Line	4830	1954
Yarrunga	Collier	Australian National Line	4830	1954
Lake Eyre	Bulk Carrier	Australian National Line	10160	1955
Iron Spencer	Bulk Carrier	BHP Shipping	12800	1956
Lake Illawarra	Bulk Carrier	Australian National Line	10160	1957
Lake Torrens	Bulk Carrier	Australian National Line	10160	1957
Lake Macquarie	Bulk Carrier	Australian National Line	10160	1958
Iron Flinders	Ore Carrier	BHP Shipping	19400	1959
Mount Keira	Ore Carrier	Australian National Line	14220	1959
Iron Dampier	Ore Carrier	BHP Shipping	19320	1960
Mount Kembla	Ore Carrier	Australian National Line	15240	1960
Mittagong	Bulk Carrier	Bulkships Limited	16660	1962
P.J. Adams	Tanker	Ampol	32770	1962
Wollongong	Bulk Carrier	Bulkships Limited	16660	1962
Seaway Queen	Roll-on/Roll-off	Union Steamship Company of New Zealand	3250	1963
Musgrave Range	Bulk Carrier	Australian National Line	21740	1964
Seaway King	Roll-on/Roll-off	Union Steamship Company of New Zealand	3250	1964
Darling River	Bulk Carrier	Australian National Line	49780	1965
Gerrigong	Bulk Carrier	Bulkships Limited	21740	1965[10]
Bogong	Bulk Carrier	Bulkships Limited	55880	1966
Ocean Digger	Oil Drilling Barge	ODECO		1967
Cellana	Tanker	Shell Company of Australia	22350	1968
Iron Hunter	Bulk Carrier	BHP Shipping	55460	1968
Kanimbla	Container ship	Bulkships Limited	10670	1968
Clutha Oceanic	Bulk Carrier	Hastings Shipping Company	55630	1969
Manoora	Container ship	Bulkships Limited	15140	1969
Yarra River	Bulk Carrier	Australian National Line	55680	1970
Amanda Miller	Tanker	RW Miller & Co Pty Ltd	67060	1971
Mobil Australis	Tanker	Mobil Oil Australia	24380	1971[11]
Clutha Capricorn	Bulk Carrier	Clutha Development Co Pty Ltd	84330	1972
W.M. Leonard	Tanker	Ampol	25910	1972
Iron Duke	Roll-on/Roll-off	BHP Shipping	14630	1973
Iron Monarch	Roll-on/Roll-off	BHP Shipping	14630	1973
Arthur Phillip	Tanker	Botany Bay Tanker Co (Aust) Pty Ltd	67820	1974
Zincmaster	Bulk Carrier & Roll-on/Roll-off	Holyman Operations Pty Ltd, Hobart	12696	1975[12]
Seaway Prince	Roll-on/Roll-off	Union Steamship Company of New Zealand		1975[13]
Seaway Princess	Roll-on/Roll-off	Union Steamship Company of New Zealand	5550	1975[12]
Union Rotorua	Roll-on/Roll-off	Union Steamship Company of New Zealand	14550	1976[12]
Union Rotoiti	Roll-on/Roll-off	Union Steamship Company of New Zealand	14550	1976[12]
Iron Carpentaria	Bulk Ore Carrier	BHP Shipping	45430	1977[12]
Iron Curtis	Bulk Carrier	BHP Shipping	45430	1978[12][14]

Electricity supply

The Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP) was responsible for bringing electricity to the townships of Iron Knob, Whyalla, their associated mines and ultimately the Whyalla steelworks. This was achieved by the construction of three powerhouses and network infrastructure to reticulate the power.

BHP commenced power supply to Whyalla in 1908 and Iron Knob in 1922.[15] A second powerhouse was built in the 1920s to replace the first and was decommissioned in late 1941 (though it was still standing in the 1990s). The third powerhouse was built in 1941 as part of the No.1 Blast furnace. It features two turbo alternators and two turbo blowers and remains in operation. It provides electricity for use around the plant and air to the blast furnace. Compressed air is also utilised around the plant by a number of other departments.

The South Australian grid, run by the then Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA), was extended to Whyalla by the late 1950s. While the town's supply was progressively transferred to ETSA during the 1960s, BHP continued to supply much of its own needs and those of some other customers that were not economic to transfer to the ETSA network. As BHP's power needs grew it began to use grid power for a greater portion of its own needs.[15] However, as of 2016 the steelworks continues to generate its own electricity to lower its energy costs and increase security of supply.

As of 2005, the Whyalla Steelworks has 66.5 MW of dedicated electricity generating capacity on-site. 57.5 MW of this capacity consists of three turbo alternators driven by steam raised in various boilers, fired primarily by waste blast furnace and coke oven gases. The boilers can also be fired with supplementary fuel oil and natural gas. The boilers also provide steam for process use around the plant. Two 4.2 MW gas turbines operate exclusively on purchased natural gas.[15] Despite this on-site capacity, the plant relies on purchased electricity for a substantial portion of its needs, and only exports power to the grid occasionally.

Water supply

Morgan on the Murray River: the majority of the steelworks' water is pumped to Whyalla from here

The Whyalla Steelworks draws the majority of its required water from the Murray River, via the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline. In December 2011, a reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant was commissioned. Capable of producing 1.5 GL of water per year, the plant allows Arrium to reduce Murray River water consumption by up to 25%.[16] The brine from the plant is discharged into settling ponds which flow into the waters of False Bay, Spencer Gulf.

Railways

Main article: BHP Whyalla Tramway

A rail network exists within the steelworks. Built as a narrow gauge network, it was converted to standard gauge in the 1960s.[17] In 1901 a line opened from Whyalla to Iron Knob. In 1930 a branch opened from Middleton Junction to Iron Baron. The latter closed in 1947 being reopened in 1958. In 1990 it was extended 40 kilometres from Iron Baron to Iron Duke.[18] After iron ore production ceased at Iron Baron in 1991 and Iron Duke in 1998, the line from Middleton Junction closed. With the reopening of the Iron Baron Mine, in mid-2012 the line reopened to Iron Baron.[19][20]

In October 1972, the 74 kilometre Whyalla railway line opened primarily to serve the Whyalla Steelworks.[21][22]

Red dust controversy

The rooftops of Whyalla are often pink with dust from the Whyalla Steelworks

Dust emissions from the Whyalla steelworks have been considered as a potential cause of elevated lung cancer incidence among residents of Whyalla. Between 1999 and 2004, 95 cases of lung cancer were recorded - 32 more than the Government of South Australia's Department of Health anticipated based on studies of other regions in the state.[23] Concerns regarding emissions and their health impacts came to a head between 2005 and 2007, largely due to the efforts of Ted Kittel and the community-lead Whyalla Red Dust Action Group. Residents of East Whyalla and students of the Whyalla Town Primary School are believed to be worst impacted by the dust emissions due to their proximity to the source.[24] The public controversy was predicated by a legal case heard in the Environment, Resources and Development Court in 2005, EPA v. OneSteel. The case evaporated after OneSteel successfully renegotiated the terms of their governing Indenture Act, with the support of the Government of South Australia.[25]

OneSteel's response

OneSteel responded by incorporating new processes into the design of Project Magnet. By proposing to transport ore from the Iron Duke mine in a slurry pipeline, the company hoped to reduce opportunities for the emission of excessive red dust. The project was supported by acting Premier Kevin Foley who espoused the project's economic merits. The project represented a $395 million investment in the development of Whyalla's economy with coincidental environmental benefits.[26] The plan was to be implemented by 2008. The company also engages in the assessment and remediation of buildings in the town of Whyalla, with results and other emissions statistics published in The Whyalla News.

Political response

Greens MLC Mark Parnell openly criticised the government for initially relaxing the EPA licensing conditions on dust emissions by modifying the company's Indenture Act after significant breaches were recorded in 2005.

The Australian Democrats' leader Sandra Kanck was critical of the removal of the Minister for the Environment from the role of overseeing emissions licensing for OneSteel. The party was concerned that the sole ministerial responsibility for the company's emissions was now left in the hands of the Minister for Mineral Resources.[27]

At the time, Premier Mike Rann was critical of the EPA, describing it as a 'toothless tiger... because it didn't have the backing of government, it didn't have independence'.[27]

As public and political pressure persisted, the Government eventually modified the licensing conditions for the facility's allowable airborne pollution emissions. This included reducing the number of days per year that excessive dust was permitted. In 2006, 29 days of 'excessive dust' were recorded. The changed conditions would limit breaches to 10 days in 2008, and ultimately 5 days in 2011. Additional breaches could incur a fine of up to $120,000.[23] The company was required to report monthly to the Government of South Australia with emissions reports and details of any remedial actions taken.[28]

Resolution

Despite describing their 'journey' with Whyalla's dust-affected community as 'reactive', 'very closed door', and 'adversarial',[25] OneSteel eventually worked with the Whyalla Red Dust Action Group and sustainability consultants to address the community’s issues and work towards a feasible solution. OneSteel believes that Project Magnet was successful in addressing the red dust issue, mainly through the company’s introduction of a wet crushing process in 2007. Since then, OneSteel has attempted to further reduce its dust emissions and works with council and community groups to improve the visual appearance of dust-impacted areas in Whyalla.[29]

The WRDAG was disbanded in 2010 after agreement that the red dust issue had been addressed. Former chair of the WRDAG, Ted Kittel, stated “The problem is resolved with a fair and reasonable outcome. I believe that OneSteel has now set a benchmark in the way it addresses environmental issues and in the excellent way it now communicates with the community.”[29]

See also

• Whyalla Barson

References

1. City of Whyalla > Tours Whyalla City Council
2. Scheiffers, Sue "A Ribbon of Steel - Whyalla Surges Ahead" Lutheran Publishing House, South Australia (1985). ISBN 0 9596198 1 X
3. "Shipping Honor For Whyalla". Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954). 4 September 1947. p. 25. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
4. "Questions and Answers". The Beverley Times. 1 July 1966. p. 4. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
5. "Shipyard reaches lm tonnes". The Canberra Times. 2 February 1974. p. 16. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
6. "Turbine-electric ship in operation, Seaway Prince, Whyalla, South Australia - on Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
7. Puddy, Rebecca (27 August 2011). "Rust belt town of Whyalla rides booms and busts". The Australian. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
8. "Whyalla: The town that saved itself". ABC. 24 September 2018. p. 1. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
9. Mayfield, Louis (3 March 2020). "Port used for vessel deconstruction". Whyalla News. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
10. "Ore Ship is Completed". The Canberra Times. 12 January 1965. p. 13. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
11. "$10m BHP oil tanker". The Canberra Times. 9 September 1971. p. 23. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
12. Shieffers, Sue "A Ribbon of Steel - Whyalla Surges Ahead" Lutheran Press, South Australia (1985). ISBN 0 9596198 1 X
13. "Seaway Prince". www.oocities.org. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
14. "Cheerless launch of BHP ship". The Canberra Times. 28 January 1978. p. 8. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
15. Parry, Mark (9 December 2005). "Network service provider registration exemption" (PDF). Australian Energy Regulator. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
16. Swallow, Julian "Thar she flows at Whyalla plant" The Advertiser, South Australia (2011-12-02). Retrieved 2014-01-27.
17. Conversion of steelworks railway to standard gauge Railway Gazette 20 December 1963 page 681
18. In Brief Railway Gazette International June 1989 page 367
19. Mining boost as Iron Baron reopens ABC News 15 May 2012
20. Whyalla Iron Ore Tramway Changes Motive Power issue 87 May 2013 pages 54-63
21. Bayley, William (1973). Steel Wheels on Railway to Whyalla. Bulli: Austrail Publications. ISBN 0 909597 12 X.
22. Newland, Andrew; Quinlan, Howard (2000). Australian Railway Routes 1854 - 2000. Redfern: Australian Railway Historical Society. p. 57. ISBN 0-909650-49-7.
23. "Red dust cancer fears in steel town" News.com.au, South Australia (2007-12-06). Retrieved 2014-01-27.
24. Parnell, Mark "Whyalla red dust pollution - where is the Health Minister?" The Greens, South Australia (2006-01-07). Retrieved 2014-01-27.
25. Phillips, Scott K. "IAIA08 Conference Proceedings - Shifting to Sustainable Business: OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks Case Study" 28th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment, Perth (2008-05-04)
26. "Red dust project strikes 'balance': Foley" ABC News, South Australia (2008-03-18). Retrieved 2014-01-27.
27. Royal, Simon "Has new legislation neutered the EPA?" Stateline, ABC, South Australia (2005-09-16). Retrieved 2014-01-27.
28. "Steelworks to reduce dust emissions" Manufacturers' Monthly (2007-12-11). Retrieved 2014-01-27.
29. Onesteel Sustainability Report > Environment Onesteel, South Australia. Accessed 2014-01-27.

Further reading

• Butler, Ben (19 October 2019). "Trouble at the mill: Sanjeev Gupta on Whyalla and its 'fundamental problems'". The Guardian. (OneSteel lost $195m in the 2018 financial year.)

External links

• Infrabuild (formerly OneSteel)

Media related to Whyalla steelworks at Wikimedia Commons