Steel Town

GFG Alliance

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Welcome to the Whyalla Steel Works in South Australia. We speak to the people who work there, explain what goes into steelmaking, explore where the product goes and discuss what the future holds.

NOV 27

The push

Steel Town: The Push Podcast Description: In this episode of Steel Town, host Kelly Fedor speaks with Liberty Primary Metals Australia (LPMA) CEO Sandip Biswas about the current state of play in Whyalla including a new term sheet for operations and the significant changes shaping the future of the steelworks in Whyalla. Also, hear from the team behind the scenes at the rolling mill and learn about the collaborative spirit driving both the local workforce and the future of green steel production. Plus, we discuss the impact of GFG’s sponsorship of the Shooting Stars program, supporting Indigenous women and girls to reach their full potential. Podcast Notes: 0:00 - Introduction Host Kelly Fedor introduces the episode and its focus on the blast furnace recovery and recent developments at Liberty Primary Metals Australia (LPMA). 2:05 - CEO Sandip Biswas on recent developments LPMA negotiates a $150 million AUD term sheet with a global credit fund. The funding will support blast furnace maintenance, operations, and suppliers. A recap of the $400 million support already provided by GFG over the past two years. 6:20 - Supplier and steelworks Updates Daily, collaborative talks between LPMA and its suppliers. Ongoing efforts to ensure the success of the steelworks and the ramp-up of production. 10:35 - The current state of the steel market Sandip Biswas discusses the global challenges in the steel industry, citing it as one of the toughest periods in recent history. LPMA’s proactive approach and efforts to manage the downturn. 13:50 - Transition to magnetite mining LPMA’s shift from hematite to magnetite mining, an essential part of its green iron and steel strategy. The importance of this transition for sustainable production in the future. 17:10 - The Rolling Mill and green steel strategy The crucial role of the rolling mill in LPMA's future vision for greener steel production. Updates on new initiatives to produce more sustainable, low-carbon footprint steel. 22:05 - The final step in steelmaking: The Rolling Mill team Interviews with Thomas Carpenter and Jack Haines, who share insights into the final steps of steelmaking at the rolling mill. 26:00 - LPMA’s contributions to nation building Amrit Mangat discusses LPMA’s diverse product range, including universal beams, rails, and solar panel posts. Highlighting LPMA’s commitment to delivering value-added products to customers. 30:00 - Celebrating LPMAs role in nation building Reflections from Thomas and Jack on their pride in producing steel for iconic Australian projects. 32:15 - Supporting the community: The Shooting Stars Program Stacey Gray of the Shooting Stars program discusses its impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls, empowering them with career opportunities and personal growth. How GFG’s sponsorship is enabling additional resources for the program. 36:10 - Success Stories from the Shooting Stars program Real-life examples of girls who have benefited from the program, including employment with GFG and career placements in education. 40:05 - Safety takeaway: Protecting your hands Safety Specialist Nikki Carn offers advice on the importance of hand protection in the workplace. 42:00 - Conclusion Kelly Fedor wraps up the episode and invites listeners to join the next edition of Steel Town. This episode provides a comprehensive look into the efforts behind the scenes at Liberty Primary Metals and their vision for the future of steelmaking in Australia, while also highlighting the community-driven initiatives that are shaping the workforce of tomorrow.

12 min
NOV 11

Back to Black

In this episode of Steel Town, host Kelly Fedor speaks with Theuns Victor, GFG Alliance’s senior operational expert, about the ambitious Back to Black initiative aimed at turning the Whyalla Steelworks from a loss-making business into a profitable operation. Join us as we dive into the critical phases of the plan, from restarting the blast furnace to ramping up production and stabilising the plant’s operations. Along the way, we hear from key workers in the steelmaking process who share their passion and dedication to making Whyalla’s steel products some of the best in the world. Plus, learn about exciting innovations as GFG moves into the solar sector and hear from community leaders on the importance of collaboration and giving back. Episode Highlights: • Theuns Victor on the Back to Black Initiative : Theuns discusses the strategic roadmap to transform the Whyalla Steelworks, emphasizing the three key phases: restarting the blast furnace, ramping up production, and stabilizing operations. Key milestones and timelines for each phase are highlighted, with a focus on turning financial losses into profits. • Steelmaking 101 with Nick : A deep dive into the steelmaking process, including how molten iron becomes steel and the critical role of precision and safety in the process. Nick Laube explains the flow of materials from the blast furnace to the rolling mill, touching on billets, blooms, and the different grades of steel produced. • Meet the Workers : Steelworkers like Daniel Clapp and Dave Hill share their experiences and pride in their roles at the steelworks. They discuss the hands-on process of refining steel and the sense of accomplishment when their products contribute to iconic infrastructure like Adelaide Oval and Memorial Drive. • Innovation in Solar : Mark Bubicich from business development talks about the exciting move into the solar industry with the production of solar piles and torque tubes. GFG’s efforts to meet renewable energy demand and their ambitions to contribute to Australia’s carbon-neutral future are explored. • Community Spotlight: Tammy Pond : Tamy Pond shares her passion for giving back to Whyalla. As president of the Show Society, a volunteer at Plaza Youth Centre, and the deputy mayor of Whyalla, Tamy talks about the importance of community connection and mentorship for the region’s youth. • Safety in Steel : Darren Bergmann, Engineering Superintendent at SIMEC Mining, reinforces the vital role of safety in steelmaking. His message: If you see something unsafe, speak up—it could save a life.

22 min
OCT 27

From a tuyere to a taphole

How does a blast furnace work, what is a tuyere and what motivates its talented team? We answer all those questions and speak to GFG’s Chairman in episode one of Steel Town.

19 min

3 Episodes

Welcome to the Whyalla Steel Works in South Australia. We speak to the people who work there, explain what goes into steelmaking, explore where the product goes and discuss what the future holds.

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Steel Town

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The push

Back to Black

From a tuyere to a taphole

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