Federal Government support for Nyrstar in Hobart to install a new state of the art electrolysis plant is good news for Port Pirie according to Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey.
“The two operations, in Hobart and Port Pirie are mutually beneficial,” he said. “In effect the success of Hobart generates success here and vice versa.
“Decades ago the waste for Hobart was dumped at sea, something we clearly do not allow anymore. It has to go somewhere to be treated and Port Pirie is by far the closest and best place for this to happen.
“The Port Pirie facility is a first-class multi-metals extraction unit capable of profitably squeezing base metals from waste where many other smelters can not and the renewal in Hobart will create a bigger stream of feedstock for Port Pirie which in turn will generate jobs and better returns for the company.
“Nyrstar’s plans to develop the new Electrolysis Plant in Hobart will create more jobs and with greater security in both facilities.
“Zinc is a key element used in batteries and solar cells, and demand has skyrocketed as the world transitions from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy.
“The Federal Coalition investment will assist in underwriting our ongoing role here in Port Pirie in multi-metals refining, creating jobs in the region for generations to come.”
Mr Ramsey said the Federal Government is providing $50m for a $400m upgrade of Nyrstar’s electrolysis unit and that Nyrstar was seeing the direct benefit in the Trafigura takeover with the bigger company capable of making the longer-term investment decisions we need to keep growing the industry.
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744 April 29 2022
