Nyrstar’s licence renewed
The EPA has renewed the operating licence for Nyrstar’s Port Pirie smelter for 12 months and further strengthened licence conditions.
This includes requirements for Nyrstar to update its Environment Improvement Program (EIP) and demonstrate a renewed focus on improving wastewater emissions.
EPA Chief Executive Tony Circelli said Nyrstar had recorded good lead in air results over the past year.
“This has resulted in the best emissions outcome seen from Nyrstar over recent years,” he said.
“In order to continue these improvements, in the new licence the EPA has introduced a 12-month average lead-in-air goal of 0.25 µg/m³ to help drive Nyrstar towards long-term performance achievements.
“Similar to the targets in the existing licence, the goal is not designed as an enforceable limit, although it will be a metric for Nyrstar to consider its ongoing performance and the need for further investment and improvement for the operations.”
The new licence retains the more stringent annual average lead in air (LIA) limits that were introduced in the 2020 licence. Nyrstar has achieved compliance with these limits consistently since January 2021.
As part of the EIP update, Nyrstar will be required to assess mercury generation and emission from site operations, consistent with Australia’s ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
EPA staff regularly inspect Nyrstar’s operations to ensure it is compliant with licence conditions. They also interact with Nyrstar in other ways for assessments, communication about performance and investigation of any incidents.
The company’s new licensing conditions begin tomorrow. A copy of the new licence will be available on the EPA website, along with community updates.
