Several contractors who supply services to Whyalla's steelworks are owed tens of thousands of dollars by the plant's owner, British metals conglomerate GFG Alliance, according to several sources who have spoken to ABC News.

Some businesses said if the situation does not improve, they may be forced to lay-off staff or go into liquidation.

None of the suppliers were willing to speak publicly, fearing the impact of potentially affecting their relationship with the biggest company in the Eyre Peninsula town.

But on the condition of anonymity, one contractor showed ABC News overdue invoices GFG Alliance is yet to pay, totalling more than $150,000.

The ABC has also obtained an email circulated among Whyalla's wider business community proposing a meeting to coordinate a response if the situation at the steel plant worsens.

"Sadly, I was hoping I would never have to email this group again after the demise of OneSteel/Arrium," the email reads.

"However, I think we are approaching another crisis time for Whyalla and for our local businesses.

"Lack of orders, and for some, lack of payment from GFG and associated companies returns us to an insecure future …"

Arrium, the then-steelworks owner, went into administration in 2016 before billionaire industrialist Sunjeev Gupta, who owns GFG Alliance, bought it.

In a statement, GFG Alliance said the steel industry globally "is going through an extended downturn, with a slow-down in demand and severe pressure from overseas suppliers".

"Our Whyalla operations have endured difficult times before and GFG Alliance remains committed to its long-term future and transformation to green iron and steel," it said in a statement.

"We are working through this downturn with our employees and contractors."