Arrium

Arrium was an Australian mining and materials company formed in 2000 when OneSteel was separated from BHP. Initially focused on domestic steel manufacturing and distribution, it was built around the Whyalla Steelworks, Whyalla harbour and iron-ore operations in South Australia. Over time, the company broadened its activities into iron-ore mining, steel production, recycling, distribution, mining consumables and industrial products. The company’s Australian steel operations produced long products, structural steel, reinforcing steel, wire, pipe and tube. Its distribution network supplied construction and infrastructure customers, while its recycling operations processed scrap metal for use by steel mills, foundries and smelters. Through acquisitions in Chile and Canada, Arrium also developed a substantial international mining-consumables business. Moly-Cop became a major producer and supplier of forged grinding media used in copper, gold, iron-ore and other mining operations, and was widely regarded as the group’s strongest and most profitable division. Arrium expanded its iron-ore export capability from Whyalla during the 2000s and early 2010s. A new rail loop commissioned in 2012 was intended to increase export capacity, and shipments from the Middleback Range operations reached approximately 12.5 million tonnes per year in the 2013–14 and 2014–15 financial years. The company later mothballed the Southern Iron project, including the Peculiar Knob mine, as market conditions and financial pressures deteriorated. The group accumulated substantial debt and reported a loss of approximately A$1.9 billion for the 2015 financial year. In April 2016, Arrium’s directors placed the company into voluntary administration. The group had nearly 10,000 employees and debts reported at more than A$2 billion, with some descriptions of total obligations reaching approximately A$2.8 billion. Administrators subsequently agreed to sell Moly-Cop for approximately A$1.6 billion, separating the profitable mining-consumables business from the rest of the administration process. In 2017, the British-owned GFG Alliance acquired Arrium’s mining and steel businesses. The OneSteel operations were subsequently associated with the Liberty OneSteel name, while Arrium Mining was renamed SIMEC Mining. The transaction included major Australian steelmaking and distribution assets, the Whyalla steelworks and harbour interests, Austube Mills, Emrails and product brands including Waratah and Cyclone. Arrium therefore ceased to exist as an operating corporate group, although several of its industrial assets and brands continued under new ownership.

Arrium originated in 2000 when OneSteel was spun out of BHP. The new company was initially centered on Australian steel manufacturing and distribution, with the Whyalla Steelworks, Whyalla harbour and iron-ore mines in the Middleback Range forming an integrated South Australian industrial base. Unlike BHP, which had a much broader global mining portfolio, OneSteel began as a more domestically focused steel business. During the 2000s, OneSteel expanded through acquisitions and operational changes. It agreed to acquire Smorgon Steel in 2006, although the transaction attracted scrutiny from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and opposition from construction-industry unions concerned about employment effects. The merger was completed in 2007. In the same year, OneSteel began exporting iron ore from Whyalla using transshipment. The company later closed a Hunter Valley bar mill and a Melbourne mill as it adjusted its production network. OneSteel pursued international growth in mining consumables during the next phase of its development. In 2010 it acquired Moly-Cop in Chile and AltaSteel in Canada. These businesses supplied forged grinding media and associated steel inputs to mining customers, particularly in the copper, gold and iron-ore industries. The acquisitions helped transform OneSteel from an Australian steel producer into a diversified mining and materials group with a significant international customer base. In 2011, it also acquired iron-ore assets from WPG Resources and sold its Piping Systems business and related property investments to McJunkin Red Man Holding. The company adopted the Arrium name in 2012. Its principal reporting areas became Arrium Mining, Arrium Mining Consumables, and OneSteel Steel and Recycling. Arrium Mining exported hematite ore from the Middleback Range, while Mining Consumables operated Moly-Cop and related businesses. Steel and Recycling manufactured long products, structural steel, pipe and tube, and wire products, distributed reinforcing and structural products through a large Australian network, and processed scrap metal for industrial customers. Investment in Whyalla’s transport and export infrastructure supported the mining business. A dual-gauge railway balloon loop commissioned in October 2012 was designed to raise export capacity to approximately 12 million tonnes annually. Actual exports peaked at about 12.5 million tonnes per year in the 2013–14 and 2014–15 financial years. However, the Southern Iron project, including the Peculiar Knob mine, was mothballed in March 2015. Arrium subsequently expected lower export volumes and explored third-party use of spare capacity at Whyalla harbour. The group’s expansion left it exposed to high debt and difficult commodity and steel-market conditions. Arrium reported a loss of approximately A$1.9 billion for the 2015 financial year. In April 2016, the directors appointed voluntary administrators. The company employed nearly 10,000 people, and reported debt figures exceeded A$2 billion, with broader estimates placing total obligations near A$2.8 billion. Administrators sought to preserve valuable operating businesses while restructuring or selling assets. Moly-Cop, the group’s profitable mining-consumables division, was sold for approximately A$1.6 billion. In September 2017, the GFG Alliance acquired the Arrium Mining and Arrium Steel businesses. The OneSteel operations became associated with the Liberty OneSteel name, and Arrium Mining was renamed SIMEC Mining. The transaction included the Whyalla steelworks, mining and export assets, Austube Mills, Emrails and brands such as Waratah and Cyclone. Although investments and modernization plans were subsequently discussed for Whyalla, Arrium itself did not continue as an independent corporate group. Its legacy survives through the industrial facilities, brands and successor businesses created from the restructuring.

1. 2017GFG Alliance acquires core businesses

   GFG Alliance acquired Arrium’s mining and steel businesses, which were subsequently reorganized under successor brands.

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2. 2016Voluntary administration begins

   Arrium entered voluntary administration after reporting major losses and carrying substantial debt.

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3. 2015Southern Iron project mothballed

   Arrium mothballed the Southern Iron project, including the Peculiar Knob mine, amid worsening market and financial conditions.

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4. 2013Whyalla iron-ore exports reach a peak

   Exports reached approximately 12.5 million tonnes per year during 2013–14 and 2014–15.

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5. 2012OneSteel is renamed Arrium

   The new name signaled the company’s diversification into mining, mining consumables, steel and recycling.

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6. 2012Whyalla rail infrastructure commissioned

   A dual-gauge railway balloon loop was commissioned to support higher iron-ore export capacity.

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7. 2011WPG Resources iron-ore assets acquired

   OneSteel expanded its iron-ore resource base through the acquisition of WPG Resources assets.

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8. 2010Moly-Cop and AltaSteel acquired

   The acquisitions established a significant international grinding-media and mining-consumables business.

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9. 2007Smorgon Steel merger completed

   The acquisition expanded OneSteel’s steel, recycling and distribution activities.

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10. 2007Iron-ore exports begin from Whyalla

    OneSteel commenced iron-ore exports from Whyalla through transshipment.

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11. 2006Agreement to acquire Smorgon Steel

    OneSteel announced an agreement to acquire Smorgon Steel, a transaction completed after regulatory and employment-related scrutiny.

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12. 2000OneSteel is spun off from BHP

    OneSteel was separated from BHP as a principally Australian steel manufacturer and distributor.

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An integrated Australian mining and materials group combining iron-ore extraction, steelmaking, steel distribution, recycling and globally oriented mining consumables. Its distinctive strategic asset was the combination of the Whyalla steelworks and associated iron-ore operations with the international Moly-Cop grinding-media business.

• Iron oreMining commodity

  Arrium mined hematite iron ore from operations associated with the Middleback Range in South Australia and exported it through Whyalla. The mining business was strategically linked to the Whyalla steelworks and harbour. Export volumes expanded significantly during the early 2010s before the Southern Iron project was mothballed and projected shipments were reduced.

• Long steel productsSteel products

  The OneSteel Steel and Recycling division manufactured long steel products for construction, infrastructure and industrial applications. The portfolio included reinforcing and structural products made through the company’s Australian steelmaking and processing network.

• Structural steel, pipe and tubeSteel products

  Arrium produced and distributed structural steel, pipe and tube for building, engineering and infrastructure customers. Austube Mills formed part of the Australian industrial portfolio later acquired by GFG Alliance.

• Mining grinding mediaMining consumables2010

  Through Moly-Cop and AltaSteel, Arrium supplied forged grinding balls, grinding rods and related steel inputs used in mineral-processing mills. The products served major mining regions and commodities including copper, gold and iron ore. Moly-Cop became the group’s most profitable division and was sold separately during the 2016 restructuring.

• Wire productsSteel products

  The company manufactured wire products for construction, agricultural and industrial uses as part of its broader Australian steel portfolio.

• Recycling and scrap-metal servicesRecycling

  Arrium collected and processed scrap metal for supply to foundries, smelters and steel mills in Australia and international markets. Recycling complemented its steelmaking and distribution operations.

• 2017Transfer core mining and steel businesses to GFG AllianceM&A

  Following administration, a buyer was needed for the Whyalla steelworks, mining operations and associated Australian distribution and product businesses.

  What changed. GFG Alliance acquired Arrium Mining and Arrium Steel, including the Whyalla industrial assets, Austube Mills, Emrails, Waratah and Cyclone.

  Aftermath. OneSteel became associated with Liberty OneSteel and Arrium Mining was renamed SIMEC Mining. Arrium ceased to operate as an independent group.

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• 2016Enter voluntary administrationStrategy

  Arrium had accumulated heavy debt and reported a very large annual loss while facing difficult conditions across its mining and steel activities.

  What changed. The directors appointed voluntary administrators in April 2016 to restructure the group, protect viable operations and seek asset sales.

  Aftermath. The company was broken up, Moly-Cop was sold separately, and the mining and steel businesses were later acquired by GFG Alliance.

  Reported full-year loss. Approximately A$1.9 billion loss (Financial year 2015)

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• 2016Sell Moly-Cop during restructuringM&A

  Moly-Cop was identified as Arrium’s only profitable division and represented a separable source of value for creditors and administrators.

  What changed. Administrators agreed to sell the grinding-media business for approximately A$1.6 billion.

  Aftermath. The sale reduced the group’s debt burden and separated Moly-Cop from the remaining Australian mining and steel assets.

  Sale value. Approximately A$1.6 billion (2016)

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• 2012Rename OneSteel as ArriumStrategy

  The OneSteel name increasingly represented only part of a group that had expanded into mining, mining consumables and recycling.

  What changed. The company adopted Arrium as its corporate name while retaining OneSteel for parts of its steel business.

  Aftermath. The rebrand presented the group as a diversified mining and materials company rather than a predominantly domestic steel producer.

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• 2010Expand into global mining consumablesM&A

  OneSteel aimed to diversify beyond Australian steelmaking and gain exposure to the expanding global mining supply chain.

  What changed. It acquired Moly-Cop in Chile and AltaSteel in Canada.

  Aftermath. The acquisitions created a major international grinding-media business that later became Arrium’s most profitable operating division.

  Combined acquisition value. Approximately A$932 million (2010)

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• 2006Pursue the Smorgon Steel acquisitionM&A

  OneSteel sought greater scale in steel manufacturing, recycling and distribution through the acquisition of Smorgon Steel.

  What changed. The company announced an approximately US$1.2 billion agreement and proceeded through regulatory review and union consultation before completing the merger in 2007.

  Aftermath. The transaction broadened OneSteel’s operating base but also highlighted concerns about industry concentration and potential employment reductions.

  Announced transaction value. Approximately US$1.2 billion transaction (2006)

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• 2017GFG Alliance acquires Arrium mining and steel businesses

  GFG Alliance acquired Arrium’s mining and steel businesses, including the Whyalla steelworks and major Australian distribution and product assets.

  M&ABankruptcy
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• 2016Arrium enters voluntary administration

  Arrium’s directors placed the company into voluntary administration after substantial losses and debt pressures, putting thousands of jobs and major Australian industrial assets at risk.

  BankruptcyOther
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• 2016Moly-Cop is sold during Arrium restructuring

  Administrators agreed to sell Moly-Cop, described as Arrium’s only profitable division, for approximately A$1.6 billion as part of the debt-reduction process.

  M&ABankruptcy
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• 2012OneSteel changes its name to Arrium

  OneSteel adopted the Arrium name to reflect its expansion beyond domestic steel into mining, mining consumables, recycling and broader materials activities.

  Leadership change
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• 2011OneSteel acquires WPG Resources iron-ore assets

  OneSteel acquired iron-ore assets from WPG Resources, strengthening its South Australian mining portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2011OneSteel sells Piping Systems business

  The company sold its Piping Systems business and related property investments to McJunkin Red Man Holding.

  M&A
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• 2010OneSteel acquires Moly-Cop and AltaSteel

  OneSteel acquired Chilean forged grinding-ball producer Moly-Cop and Canadian ball-stock producer AltaSteel, creating a major international mining-consumables platform.

  M&A
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• 2008OneSteel announces mill closures

  The company announced the closure of a bar mill in the Hunter Valley and a mill in Melbourne as it adjusted its steelmaking footprint.

  Other
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• 2007OneSteel completes Smorgon Steel merger

  The Smorgon Steel transaction was completed after regulatory review and concerns raised by construction-industry unions about possible job losses.

  M&A
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• 2007OneSteel begins iron-ore exports from Whyalla

  OneSteel began exporting iron ore from Whyalla using a transshipment arrangement, adding an export channel to its historically domestic steel business.

  Other
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• 2006OneSteel agrees to acquire Smorgon Steel

  OneSteel announced an agreement to acquire scrap-metal and steel company Smorgon Steel. The transaction faced competition and employment-related concerns before completion.

  M&ARegulation
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1. Arrium