Fortescue and Metso produce first hot metal at Christmas Creek Green Metal Project
- Fortescue’s Christmas Creek Green Metal Project produced first hot metal in the Pilbara using Metso’s electric DRI Smelting Furnace.
- Installation of Metso’s equipment commenced in September 2025.
- The DRI Smelting Furnace is being tested to enable use of Pilbara iron ore fines in lower‑emission ironmaking routes.
- Metso says the technology can produce high‑quality iron suitable for downstream steelmaking with lower emissions than conventional blast furnace routes.
Milestone
Fortescue’s Christmas Creek Green Metal Project, featuring Metso’s electric DRI Smelting Furnace, has produced its first hot metal in the Pilbara, Western Australia. Fortescue frames the result as a step toward producing commercial‑scale green metal in Australia.
Technology and intent
Metso supplied the core smelting design and its Outotec® DRI Smelting Furnace, which is being tested for its potential to enable the use of Pilbara iron ore fines in lower‑emission ironmaking routes. The technology is described as a route to producing high‑quality iron units suitable for downstream steelmaking with lower emissions than conventional blast furnace routes.
Installation and learnings
Installation of Metso’s equipment commenced in September 2025. Metso says the project will provide important learnings as Fortescue works towards developing a pathway for green iron production at scale using Pilbara ore.
Source: Metso