Nyrstar puts its Australian economic value creation in 2022 at $1.7 billion 

Trafigura-owned Nyrstar Australia – which operates smelters at Port Pirie in South Australia and Hobart, Tasmania – released its Economic Value Report Summary for 2022 on Friday, calculating its total value to the Australian economy at $1.7 billion.

The metals processor counted support for 6,400 full-time equivalent jobs and $838 million in direct spending in Australia ($670 million with over 1,200 local businesses) among its figures for the calendar year.

Its two main products represented 60 per cent of total Australian zinc exports and about 75 per cent of Australian refined lead exports.

Co-CEO Dale Webb said metals refined in Australia (it makes lead at Port Pirie, zinc at Hobart, and recovers other metals such as indium, copper and gold) were critical ingredients in the energy transition.

“Our Port Pirie and Hobart Operations have had a significant role to play in Nyrstar refining the metals and products needed for everyday use throughout the world for generations, and we are looking forward to the exciting years ahead,” said Webb.

The global operations of minerals and metal maker Nyrstar have been owned by Swiss trading company Trafigura since 2019.

Nyrstar Australia is currently building a $23 million product recycling facility at Port Pirie, and plans to undertake $400 million in upgrades at Hobart, building an electrolysis plant that “will incorporate the latest technology that will enable a step change in the performance of the Zinc Works.” 

The latter has been awarded $50 million in federal and $20 million in Tasmanian government support.

The 2022 report can be accessed here.

Pictured: the Hobart site (credit Nyrstar Australia)

Further reading

Early works underway at $23 million Nyrstar product recycling facility

Federal budget to include $50 million in support for Nyrstar’s Hobart Zinc Works

Nyrstar to build new $400 million electrolysis plant at Hobart site

Nyrstar increases local spending at Port Pirie operations