South Australia continues to support the transformation of Port Pirie’s metal processing operations through strategic financial, regulatory, and environmental initiatives. This transformation recognises both the importance of the site within Nyrstar's global operations and the opportunity to deliver improved environmental and health outcomes for an important regional centre in the state’s mid-north.

In August 2025, South Australian government, together with the Australian and Tasmanian governments announced a $135 million support package to accelerate the transformation of Nyrstar's Port Pirie and Hobart smelters. Key elements include:

  • Operational continuity and innovation
    The package, alongside Nyrstar's own investment, will support ongoing operations while advancing detailed engineering plans and fast-tracking feasibility studies to upgrade and transform ageing plant and equipment while an assessment of the viability of a longer-term, sustainable future can be determined.
  • Antimony pilot plant
    A major focus is the delivery of an antimony pilot and demonstration plant. If successful, Port Pirie would become Australia's only producer of antimony metal, joining a small group of global producers. Antimony is vital for hardening metals and is used in batteries and semiconductors.
  • Asset integrity and maintenance
    The package also supports asset integrity projects, including a Major Maintenance Project requiring over 350 contactors and 90 suppliers, boosting local employment and capability.

The Department for Energy and Mining leads the cross-government engagement with Nyrstar to support the ongoing improvements of the Port Pirie smelter. This collaboration focuses on improving operations, reducing environmental impacts, and meeting community expectations for health and sustainability. As part of this partnership, the South Australian Government has delivered a range of initiatives to secure the smelter’s future and strengthen its role in the state’s industrial economy, including:

  • Financial support
    In 2015,  the South Australian government provided a $291.25 million taxpayer-guaranteed load to upgrade the smelter's top-submerged lance (TSL) furnace, extending its operational life and reducing lead and dust emissions. This agreement was later updated with international commodities trader Trafigura, Nyrstar's parent company, and a commercial financing arrangement enabled full repayment of the remaining loan balance.
  • Regulatory certainty
    The Port Pirie Smelting Facility (Lead-In-Air Concentrations) Act 2013 was enacted to govern variations in environmental conditions related to lead emissions.
  • Environmental licensing
    In 2020, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) South Australia issued a one-year licence reducing lead-in-air limits by 20%, with these limits retained in subsequent licences. In 2023, a five-year licence was issued, reflecting expectations that the new multi-metals processing and product recycling facility would deliver lower emissions.
  • Recycling facility investment
    In 2021, Nyrstar announced a $23 million investment in a new recycling facility, expected to reduce lead-in-air concentrations by up to 25%. The facility became fully operational in July 2025.
  • Community health
    The government continues to support the Targeted Lead Abatement Program (TLAP) to ensure that children from birth to four years of age living in Port Pirie have the lowest possible blood lead levels.
  • Government Lead Action Plan
    Since 2022, the government has been delivering on its $20.43 million Government Lead Action Plan designed to complement the work of TLAP aimed at reducing lead exposure at Port Pirie. The plan includes high-impact lead abatement actions, 26 of which have already been successfully completed. The remaining actions are on track for competition by 2026 including the Port Pirie Greening Program in partnership with the Port Pirie Regional Council and TLAP to reduce lead dust and establish native vegetation.

More information

For more information about the Port Pirie transformation contact:

Email: DEM.customerservices@sa.gov.au
Phone: +61 8 8463 3000