Tata: Traditional steelmaking ends as Port Talbot blast furnace closes

Blast furnaces produce molten iron by splitting rocks containing iron ore. It is a chemical reaction that requires intense heat, and which emits high levels of carbon into the atmosphere.

It is known as primary steelmaking, or virgin steelmaking, as it extracts iron from its original source and can be purified and treated to make all types of steel.

The BBC was given permission to record inside the blast furnace during its final days of operation.

James Raleigh, who has been involved in operating both blast furnaces in Port Talbot, said: “I have been in there quite a few times, but it is still very impressive to me.”

The works technical manager for the coke, sinter and iron department added: “Working in this industry, the scale of it is absolutely huge. It is still very impressive every time I go in there.”

Temperatures inside the furnace reach over 2,000C (3,632F) with liquid iron “tapped” by workers flowing out at a temperature of around 1,500C (2,732F).