BlueScope Steel admits its interest in the Whyalla Steelworks extends beyond the beleaguered group's main South Australia facilities, but it will be disciplined as it explores a potential takeover.

Chairwoman Jane McAloon says BlueScope doesn't expect an early resolution to the Whyalla saga and others would be interested in the ailing steelworks, which employs 1100 workers and supports more than 2000 people indirectly.

"What I can assure you is that we won't do anything that is outside the interests of BlueScope," Ms McAloon told the company's annual general meeting from its base in the steel town of Wollongong on the NSW south coast on Tuesday.

The company has a financial framework that it formed coming out of its "darkest times" from 2013 to 2015 that forbids investments unless they m

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