BHP has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese producer JFE Steel to jointly study technologies and other pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the integrated steelmaking process. The miner is prepared to invest up to US$15 million over the five-year partnership.

BHP’s investment is part of its US$400 million Climate Investment Program, set up in 2019 to coordinate and prioritise projects, partnerships, R&D and venture investments to reduce emissions.

The partnership will focus on the role of Australian raw materials to help to increase efficiency and reduce emissions from the blast furnace and direct reduced iron (DRI) steel making routes. The companies intend to study the properties of raw materials, with focus on specific areas such as iron ore pretreatment and the use of enhanced iron ore lump, high-quality coke and DRI. Throughout the collaboration, BHP and JFE will also share knowledge on reducing carbon emissions across the steel value chain.

“This partnership with JFE demonstrates a joint commitment to make our activities more sustainable through collaboration and technological improvement. This work will support and help progress Japan’s carbon neutral ambitions by 2050,” said BHP Chief Commercial Officer Vandita Pant.

“Our investments are focused on actions that can create real change, and we continue to take positive steps on our climate agenda and in collaborating with others to help reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals,” Pant concluded.

The JFE partnership follows other BHP investments to support the reduction of value chain emissions, including a US$35 million collaboration with steelmaker China Baowu.

Source: www.bhp.com