Jun 10, 2026 – 1.58pmNyrstar, which operates the Port Pirie lead smelter in South Australia and a zinc smelter in Hobart, says the plants are losing $15 million a month, as the amount of taxpayer funds it is receiving for work on potential upgrades jumped to $240 million and is set to go higher.Nyrstar is owned by Trafigura, one of the world’s largest metals and energy traders. It has been in intense negotiations with the federal, South Australian and Tasmanian governments over extra funds for a partly finished feasibility study on a potential modernisation of the plants.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Nyrstar bailout rises to $240m, smelters losing $15m a month
One of the world’s largest metal trading houses has secured extra taxpayer funding to work out the long-term future of smelters in Port Pirie and Hobart.
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