Whyalla steelworks closes blast furnace, 500 jobs to end
The blast furnace at Whyalla steelworks is being permanently shut down after failing to restart since April, eliminating about 500 jobs.
The steelworks in Whyalla has made a permanent decision to close its blast furnace after it went offline in April and could not be restarted. About 500 workers at the plant will lose their jobs, plus more than 100 contractors.
Administrators announced the decision this morning after meeting with workers. The blast furnace melted iron ore into liquid pig iron, then turned it into steel.
The steelworks has been in administration for 19 months. SA Premier Peter Malinauskas is expected to announce further details later today.
He may say whether other employers like BHP will offer positions. The business remains for sale, with Jindal Steel and M Resources bidding, while BlueScope Steel retains its right of last offer.
- 500 workers plus over 100 contractors
- Jobs lost
- April
- Offline since
- 19 months
- In administration
- Jindal Steel, M Resources, BlueScope Steel
- Bidders remaining
Why it mattersA major regional employer is contracting sharply, affecting the entire Whyalla community's economy, household incomes and the town's future.
AustraliaSouth Australia's steelworks loses its core production capacity, threatening jobs in one of the state's most important manufacturing towns and raising questions about industry support and regional economic recovery.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 10 d ago
