Nyrstar completes first shipment of Australian Antimony metal

Nyrstar, a business wholly owned by Trafigura, has completed the first shipment of commercial-grade Antimony metal produced in Australia. The material originated from the company’s multi-metals processing facility located in Port Pirie. This inaugural delivery represents a significant development in the domestic effort to establish sovereign mine-to-metal supply chains for critical minerals. According to the company, the project was accelerated through support from both the Australian and South Australian governments, allowing the demonstration plant to begin production and distribution ahead of the original schedule.

The initial batch of Antimony metal is destined for a domestic manufacturer located on the east coast of Australia. Looking forward, the company intends to utilise this facility to supply international markets, with future shipments planned for customers across Asia, Europe, and the United States. This strategy aims to foster a more resilient and diverse supply chain for materials essential to the automotive, semiconductor, energy, and defence sectors. The Port Pirie site leverages existing infrastructure to process a variety of local and international concentrates, enabling the production of these strategic metals at scale.

The Port Pirie facility possesses the potential to reach an annual production capacity of 5,000 tonnes of Antimony metal. This output would account for approximately 15% of the global market and is equivalent to nearly 100% of the volume imported by the United States in 2023. Nyrstar is currently engaging with commercial partners in Japan, Europe, and the US to establish long-term offtake agreements. These efforts align with the US–Australia Critical Minerals Framework, which identified the Port Pirie project as a key initiative to address supply risks for priority minerals.

Beyond the current Antimony production, Nyrstar is evaluating the feasibility of expanding its output to include other critical materials. With continued government collaboration, the company is exploring the potential to refine Bismuth and Tellurium at the Port Pirie site. Additionally, there is potential for Germanium production at the company’s Hobart Zinc Works. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to modernise Australian assets and enhance the value of minerals sourced domestically and globally. Nyrstar has maintained operations in Port Pirie and Hobart for over a century, employing a combined workforce of more than 1,400 people.

The strategic importance of the Port Pirie facility lies in its ability to provide an alternative and transparent supply source for global markets. By focusing on smelting and refining capabilities, the company aims to ensure that Australia can play a vital role in supporting its own industrial requirements and those of its international allies. Nyrstar continues to work with federal and state authorities to secure the necessary support for the modernisation and expansion of its processing capabilities, reinforcing the role of domestic smelters in maintaining secure and reliable supply chains for essential modern materials.