PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Diversified miner BHP on Monday announced plans to extend its partnership with the Centre for Ironmaking Materials Research (CIMR) at the University of Newcastle, funding a further A$10-million to support ongoing research into decarbonising steelmaking.

The expanded research programme will focus on low carbon iron and steelmaking using BHP’s iron-ore and metallurgical coal, including conventional blast furnace ironmaking with the addition of hydrogen, and emerging alternative low carbon ironmaking technologies.

The collaboration, with funding from BHP’s $400-million Climate Investment Program, will last five years and help train the next generation of PhD researchers and engineers.

“Greenhouse gas emissions from steelmaking represent around 7% to 10% of global total estimated emissions and the industry remains one of the most difficult sectors in the world to abate. Research and innovation have a critical role to play in accelerating the industry’s transition to a low carbon future,” said BHP VP for sales and marketing for iron-ore Dr Rod Dukino.

“The expanded research programme with the University of Newcastle complements BHP’s existing partnerships with our key steelmaking customers in China, Japan and South Korea. We are pursuing the long-term goal of net-zero Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Recognising the particular challenge of a net-zero pathway for this hard-to-abate sector, we are continuing to partner with customers and others in the steel value chain to seek to accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral steelmaking.”

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, said the ongoing work of Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) would help drive the type of home-grown innovation needed for the world to decarbonise.

“Through our strategic plan, which was shaped by our students, staff and our communities, we are committed to supporting the innovation required to bring the world closer to a sustainable future with solutions for the use of natural resources and the development of new energy technologies,” Zelinsky said.

“This continued partnership with BHP is a clear example of the university's commitment to driving technological advancement through industry-engaged research, and we are honoured to continue with BHP's legacy of innovation at our dedicated NIER precinct.”