Japan’s largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel, has acquired a 30 per cent stake in Canada’s Kami iron ore project, forming a joint venture with Australia’s Champion Iron and trading house Sojitz to secure supplies of high-grade ore for direct reduced iron production.
Through its subsidiary NS Canadian Resources, Nippon Steel has paid C$42 million (Rs 2.5 billion) of the total C$150 million (Rs 9 billion) investment, with the remaining C$108 million (Rs 6.5 billion) subject to an additional investment decision based on a feasibility study.
The deal builds on a December agreement in which Nippon Steel and Sojitz purchased a 49 per cent interest in the project from Champion Iron for C$245 million (Rs 14.7 billion). Under the new joint venture, Kami Iron Mine Partnership, the companies will advance the feasibility study for the Newfoundland and Labrador project.
Nippon Steel said the project’s high-grade ore is ideal for producing direct reduced iron, which, together with high-quality scrap, is crucial for operating large electric arc furnaces. The company plans to expand such furnaces to lower carbon emissions as part of its decarbonisation strategy.
Having recently acquired U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel has been strengthening its stakes in coking coal and iron ore mines worldwide to ensure long-term security of critical raw materials.