Iron and Steel By mk85024 Jan 1, 1848 First attempt at establishing iron and steel smelting near mittagong, New South Whales Jan 1, 1873 Another Attempt in Victoria with the formation of victoria iron company. Jan 1, 1874 Vicotria irno company now known as lal lal iron mining co Jan 1, 1875 Small blast furnace built operated into the 1880s but was never an economic proposition. Jan 1, 1877 Smelting Plant Closed not economical.