The operator of Port Pirie’s lead and zinc smelter is to face tougher limits on emissions.
South Australian Environment Minister Paul Caica says Nyrstar will be issued with new licence conditions from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) within weeks.
They will include more stringent lead emission limits and an environment improvement program.
“What I’ve been advised by the EPA is that following an extensive review of Nyrstar’s EPA licence, the EPA’s now finalised new conditions of its licence,” the minister told Parliament.
“This includes an environment protection improvement program [and] establishes more stringent lead-in-air limits in Port Pirie.”
Opposition environment spokesman Steven Marshall told State Parliament it was another burden for Nyrstar on top of carbon pricing.
“This is a significant cost impost in the business will seriously undermine the future viability of this business,” he said.
Smelter general manager Glenn Poynter said he was confident it will be able to operate within the amended limits.
“For the last four or five years we’ve spent some $50 million on improving our environmental performance,” he said.
The EPA said an investigation was continuing into two emissions spikes at the smelter in 2009.
SA Premier Jay Weatherill met international representatives of Nyrstar to discuss the smelter’s future while he was in London this month.
The company has indicated it wants to redevelop the smelter and will be keen to gain federal and state support.
