Nyrstar’s lead emissions increase at Port Pirie smelter under transition to new operations
LEAD emissions from Nyrstar’s Port Pirie smelter have risen to near “unacceptable” levels as the company uses both old and new parts of the plant.
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LEAD emissions from Nyrstar’s Port Pirie smelter have increased as it moves towards new operations at the metals processing plant.
The Environment Protection Authority’s director of science and information Keith Baldry, said while the company had not breached any limits, it was taking action to manage its emissions, which were rising under recent changes at the plant.
Nyrstar has completed a $660 million development at the site, which included building a new oxygen-enriched bath smelting furnace to improve the area’s air quality.
However, new and old plant components were being used at the same time during the transition process, causing a temporary rise in emissions.
Mr Baldry stressed on ABC radio that the community was not at “any immediate risk”.
“We’re really pleased to see that Nyrstar is taking action,” he said.
ABC’s David Bevan told listeners the organisation had obtained emails from the site’s lead smelter chief that said it was at risk of breaching its licence to operate this quarter and “major plant components” would be shut down today to begin reducing lead levels.
“The old plant is the reason why we required transformation of the site – it’s not acceptable in terms of current emissions standards,” Mr Baldry said.
“When they’re able to turn the old plant off and the new plant is fully commissioned, that will see a significant benefit to the community.
“The limits have not been breached but it’s something we require to be as low as they can achieve.
“We have limits for a reason and they’re too close to them at the moment.”
Mr Baldry said once the company’s transformation was complete, he expected lead emissions from the new plant to amount to about half of those from the old plant.
A Nyrstar spokeswoman said the company took its impact on the community very seriously. “The new plant that we are currently ramping up will enable us to run with reduced environmental impacts,” she said.
“Currently, as we ramp up the new plant we are also running some old plant components which adds to the complexity of managing the emissions and meeting the environmental targets.”
The spokeswoman said the company had a range of actions in place to address its emissions.
“For example, today the site is organising a ‘Lead In Air Focus Day’ when we will shut down major parts of our plant for eight hours to focus on some environmental activities,” she said.
“We will continue to work on the range of actions we have to further reduce the emissions and reduce the impact on the community.”
michelle.etheridge@news.com.au