Nyrstar Australia’s vice president Dale Webb has welcomed the $50 million in Commonwealth funding towards construction of a new $400 million Electrolysis Plant in this week’s Federal budget.

“Today’s announcement by the Federal Government demonstrates again the value of what we do in Australia and the importance of this new Electrolysis Plant to our sector and Tasmania,” said Mr Webb.

“This ensures that the next generation of employees and businesses in Tasmania will continue to play an important role in the manufacturing of zinc, a mineral critical for the transition to a low carbon world.

“This secures the long-term sustainability of 1,300 direct jobs and over 5,000 indirect jobs in Hobart and through Nyrstar’s interlinked operations in Port Pirie in South Australia,” said Mr Webb.

It is expected the project, also supported by the Tasmanian Government, will take approximately 28 months from commencement and will employ 200 people at the peak of construction.

Nyrstar is an international producer of critical minerals and metals essential for a low carbon future with mining, smelting and other operations located in Europe, the United States and Australia.

Nyrstar’s operating business is wholly owned by Trafigura, an independent commodity trading and supply chain logistics company.