The Australian Government said Nyrstar’s multi-metals manufacturing facility in Port Pirie has begun an $80 million investment program aimed at improving efficiency and maintaining the long-term competitiveness of one of Australia’s major metals processing sites.
The 50-day program, supported by both the Australian and South Australian Governments, will involve 350 subcontractors from 90 suppliers. According to the Government, the initiative is expected to generate local economic activity and strengthen Australia’s capacity in critical metals manufacturing and supply.
In a joint statement, the Australian Government said the investment is part of broader measures to enhance the nation’s ability to produce strategic and critical minerals used in renewable energy, electronics and defence industries.
The planned works include a re-line of the Top Submerged Lance (TSL) furnace, a rebuild of the Copper Dross Furnace, and construction of an improved enclosure for the Blast Furnace, alongside upgrades to the Acid Plant, fume handling systems, wastewater treatment and refinery flues.
Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Trade Tim Ayres said the program reflects the effectiveness of collaboration between governments and industry to secure Australia’s industrial base.
“The improvement program taking place at Nyrstar’s Port Pirie smelter over the next 50 days shows that the partnership between the Albanese Government, the South Australian and Tasmanian Governments and Nyrstar itself is working as intended,” Ayres said.
“This new investment makes the smelter more capable, more efficient, and is part of the effort by Nyrstar, the governments, workers and maintenance teams to secure the plant’s future. This is good for workers, local firms, the Port Pirie community and Australia’s partners across global supply chains.”
The Australian Government said the program would safeguard Port Pirie’s role in processing existing strategic metals—such as lead, copper, silver and gold—while enabling greater flexibility to process critical minerals including antimony and bismuth.
It noted that these materials are increasingly essential for global manufacturing sectors, particularly clean energy technologies and defence applications.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the upgrade represents a key step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of the state’s industrial sector.
“Just as we have with Whyalla, we are working in close partnership with the Commonwealth Government to transform the Port Pirie smelter and secure its future for the long term,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“These significant works are an important first step, as we progress initial production of antimony – a critical mineral in demand in energy, defence and high-tech manufacturing.”
South Australian Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis said the investment highlights cooperation between both levels of government to strengthen local industries.
“The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have partnered to secure Port Pirie’s future with a significant investment in Nyrstar’s ongoing operations,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“The project will deliver jobs, boost local suppliers and strengthen South Australia’s position as a trusted producer of the metals needed for emerging technologies and clean energy industries.”
Nyrstar Australia Chief Executive Matt Howell said the company’s collaboration with government partners would help sustain operations and create future opportunities for advanced manufacturing.
“This $80 million investment is about improving the efficiency and competitiveness of our Port Pirie operations while underpinning our critical metals production that Australia, the US and other global partners need,” Howell said.
“Backed by the support of the South Australian and Federal Governments, we are creating new opportunities at Port Pirie for economic growth, supply chain resilience and sovereign capability in the production of strategic metals vital for technology, energy transition and defence.”
According to the Australian Government, the initiative complements earlier commitments announced in August totaling $135 million from the Australian, South Australian and Tasmanian Governments to secure Nyrstar’s ongoing operations and advance engineering work on major smelter rebuilds.
Local Member for Stuart Geoff Brock welcomed the investment, describing it as an important boost for regional employment and industry.
“This is welcome news for the people of Port Pirie, with the investment to support hundreds of jobs, putting more money into the local community,” Mr Brock said. “Nyrstar is at the centre of the region’s economic success and this work will ensure a stronger future for one of the region’s most important employers.”
The Australian Government noted that Nyrstar contributes around $1.7 billion to the national economy each year, employing about 1,400 Australians and supporting more than 6,600 indirect jobs nationwide.
