Nyrstar’s Port Pirie smelter has resumed full production for the first time since an unplanned outage shut it down two months ago, as the State Government approved the plant’s new ownership after demanding compulsory repayments of a $291 million taxpayer-funded loan by 2022.
Nyrstar will make its first principal repayment on taxpayers’ $291 million loan for the Port Pirie smelter, with Treasurer Rob Lucas using his power to approve or veto a takeover of the company as leverage in negotiations over the outstanding debt.
British Industrialist Sanjeev Gupta has confirmed his group’s interest in developing its own smelting operations in South Australia but has declined to comment on possibly working with the troubled Nyrstar operations at Port Pirie.