Nyrstar Australia has announced that it has secured bipartisan support for the development of its new Electrolysis Plant at the company’s zinc operations in Hobart, Tasmania.
To support this development, the Federal Government has pledged $50 million along with $20 million from the Tasmanian Government.
“Today’s announcement of a $50 million commitment from Federal Labor demonstrates the important national contribution this project will make towards maximising the value from Australia’s mineral resources.
“This project will ensure that the next generation of employees in Tasmania will continue to play an important role in the manufacturing of zinc, a critical mineral for the transition to a low carbon world and essential to prolonging the useful life of steel in buildings.
“Together with Nyrstar Australia’s interlinked Port Pirie multi-metals refining facility, Hobart’s Zinc Works enables a greater recovery of minerals and metals that are important to global supply chains,” Nyrstar Australia Vice President Australian Operations Dale Webb said.
The proposed $400 million Electrolysis Plant will incorporate the latest technology to help “step change” the performance of the Zinc Works operations in Hobart and, in turn, increase the competitiveness of high-quality Australian zinc across global markets.
The funding commitment from the Australian and Tasmanian Governments will allow the development of the new plant to proceed, which will secure the future of 500 direct jobs in the State as well as a total of about 1,600 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs across Nyrstar Australia’s Hobart and Port Pirie operations – home to the company’s interlinked operations.
Construction of the Electrolysis Plant is expected to take 28 months to complete and will see up to 200 people employed at peak construction period.
Once up and running, the new Electrolysis Plant will be able to address safety and environmental issues at the Hobart facility as well as improve its production capacity that will result in more zinc being produced for less power.
Source: Nyrstar; Australian Mining; Premier of Tasmania – Media Release