Zinc producer Nyrstar Australia will build a new $23 million product recycling facility at its Port Pirie plant that will significantly reduce lead in air concentrations measured in the local community.
The facility – to be constructed adjacent to the existing processing plants – will be sealed and under negative air pressure, allowing intermediate materials used in the production process to be stored and mixed in an enclosed facility.
Nyrstar Vice President Australian Operations, Dale Webb, said the new Facility “is expected to reduce the concentrations of lead in air in the community by up to 25% compared to monitoring levels recorded in December 2020.”
“Our process for storing, mixing and transporting minerals around the site will be improved fundamentally and will work together with other improvements already in place to deliver a sustained reduction in lead in air in our local community,” Mr Webb said.
“The investment that Nyrstar Australia is making will act to improve both the environmental and operational performance of our Port Pirie plant, and we welcome the State Government’s support for this important project.
“Nyrstar Australia and its many talented people working in Port Pirie will continue to focus on how we can continue to improve our operations to reduce lead in air concentrations and complement the Targeted Lead Abatement Program (TLAP) and actions of the State Government, Port Pirie Regional Council and people of Port Pirie to reduce lead levels within the local community.”
South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said the State Government is contributing $7 million towards the 6,850 m2 facility.
“I’m incredibly proud that Nyrstar and my Government have joined forces to take action to deal decisively with lead emissions and improve the health of the children of Port Pirie,” said Premier Marshall.
“This outstanding initiative will create 75 jobs at the peak of construction and sustain hundreds of jobs over the life of the project, delivering a significant economic boost for Port Pirie’s economy.”
According to SA Government’s media statement, preliminary works are expected to commence in early 2022.
“From approval the construction of the facility is expected to take less than 30 months to complete,” reads the statement.
